Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star is Mumbai’s beloved film festival that showcases the best of Indian and foreign films to the passionate film lovers of Mumbai! The festival is now in it’s 21st year! And like every year they are again screening Marathi films under their various sections!

in India Story section three Marathi films are being showcased. ‘Chivati’ directed by Rajkumar Tangade is about generations of a closely-knit, humorous community of sugarcane labourers who have been migrating yearly in search of work. ‘Y’ directed by Dr. Ajit Wadikar and starring popular actress Mukta Barve, is a collage of four different, interconnected stories that address sex-selective abortion and female foeticide. And the third film in this section being ‘A Thing of Magic’ directed by Nithin Anil which is about a struggling harmonium player, who aspires to join a local drama troupe.

In the ‘Marathi Talkies’ section three Marathi films are to be featured. ‘Dithi’, the much awaited multi-starrer film about the ‘Warkari’ sect directed by Sumitra Bhave stars the likes of Kishor Kadam, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Amruta Subhash, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Girish Kulkarni, Anjali Patil, Shashank Shende & others. The section also features ‘Bhonga’ by the national award winning director Shivaji Lotan Patil. Mahesh Manjrekar’s ‘Panghrun’ which is a period drama film about a widow starring Manjrekar’s daughter Sai Manjrekar will also be a part of the ‘Marathi Talkies’ section in the festival!

‘About Love’ is another Marathi film that is part of MAMI this year! A documentary film directed by Archana Phadke about the three generations of her family inside their ancestral home – the 102-year-old Phadke Building in downtown Mumbai. Mining their daily routines and rituals, ‘About Love’ deconstructs the dynamics of one eccentric household, studies its gender dynamics and brings unexpected revelations for a daughter rediscovering her family from behind the lens.

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• Movie : Appa Anni Bappa (2019) | आप्पा आणि बाप्पा
• Producer : Garima Dhir & Jalaj Dhir
• Director : Garima Dhir, Jalaj Dhir
• Studio : Garima Productions
• Star Cast :
  • Subodh Bhave
  • Bharat Jadhav
  • Dilip Prabhavalkar
  • Sampada Kulkarni
• Story : Arvind Jagtap & Ashwni Dhir
• Screenplay and Dialogues : Arvind Jagtap & Ashwni Dhir
• Lyrics : Mandar Cholkar
• Sound Design : Aditya Yadav & Kartik Kulkarni
• Music : Sarang Kulkarni, Cyli Khare, Abhang Repost
• Background Music : Mangesh Dhakde
• Cinematography (DOP) : Surya Mishra
• Editor :
• Art Director : Jayant Deshmukh
• Costume :
• Make-up :
• Presenter :
• Choreography :
• Co-Producer :
• Visual Promotions : Just Right Studioz
• Digital Promotions :
• DI Colorist :
• PR : Media One
• Genre : Drama
• Release Date : 11th October 2019

Synopsis : Govind Kulkarni is a Pune based, middle class family man. After a large scale celebration of Ganeshotsav for his aging father, Govind finds himself in a huge amount of debt and facing social ridicule. In desperation he appeals to Lord Ganesha to come to his rescue and to his great surprise…he does!

Appa Anni Bappa Marathi Movie Poster/Photos :

Appa Anni Bappa Marathi Movie Trailer :

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The Pu La Deshpande biopic ‘Bhaai – Vyakti Kee Valli’ released in theatres in the first week of the year & is got a great response from audiences as well as critics. In Diwali, we witnessed the amazing life of ‘Dr. Kashinath Ghanekar’ in the Subodh Bhave starrer biopic! And now biopic of Balasaheb Thackeray has released in both Hindi & Marathi! In this completely biopic dominant atmosphere, we would like to propose 5 more biopics that should be made in Marathi cinema in the near future!

1. Sant Gadge Baba 

Unlike countless pseudo Babas of today’s times, Sant Gadge Baba had nothing to do with religion or blind faith! Rather Gadge Baba inspired people to think rationally & question every belief that is been thrust upon them. Gadge Baba was also a firm believer in cleanliness so much so that he is forever considered as the icon of many cleanliness programmes that are undertaken even now! Interestingly a film was even made on Gadge Baba starring Mohan Joshi as ‘Gadge Baba’. But unfortunately, it never released in theatres & was stuck in the post-production!

Whom would we like to play Gadge Baba? 

Of course Mohan Joshi! We wish that film releases at least now or whenever a new film is made we would again want Mohan Joshi to play Gadge Baba!

2. Neelimkumar Khaire 

Not a hugely popular name, but an incredibly great man who has dedicated his life to the world of snakes & different animals & our environment! Neelimkumar Khaire is an Environmentalist and Herpetologist who has an unbelievable record of spending 72 hours with 72 highly poisonous snakes in an 8 feet by 8 feet glass chamber! Not even a single snake bite him & survived the challenge! After that, he spent all his life working for the welfare of snakes & other animals! He even lost one hand during his journey, but he says his hand was not lost because of snake’s poison but because of the carelessness of the doctors who treated him! Know more about him & his inspiring, thrilling journey in this interview.

Interview Credits: Maharashtra1 TV

Whom would we like to play Neelimkumar Khaire?

Since this great man’s journey starts from his young age, we would name three actors to play him at different stages of his life! The younger role should be played by Suvrat Joshi, the middle-aged by Girish Kulkarni & the older one by Dr. Mohan Agashe!

3. Nikhil Wagle 

If you’ve seen the above interview, well we wish to know more about the interviewer himself! Nikhil Wagle is a senior reporter who has worked on many different channels & newspapers, magazines. No matter where he worked he has always voiced his opinion clearly & openly! Many hate him, many idolize him but none can ignore him! He has been an eye witness of the changing Maharashtra & India in the time period of over 3 decades! His life story certainly deserves to be told on screen!

Whom would we like to play Nikhil Wagle? 

This is quite a simple choice! Our beloved Jitendra Joshi is tailor-made to play Nikhil Wagle!

4. Dr. Narendra Dabholkar 

Do we even need a justification here? A man who was killed just because he was helping people become aware of the blind faith happening around them. He was never against any religion yet he had to become a martyr. His life is inspiring in every way. His selfless act of eradicating blind faith from our country brought together many like-minded young & old individuals & even today after 5 years of his assassination, these inspired people are still doing their work of eradicating blind faith!

Whom would we like to play Dr. Dabholkar?

While this is a really difficult choice but we believe we have one great actor who can pull off any difficult role, & he is the extremely versatile Dilip Prabhawalkar!

5. Nilu Phule

The obvious choice isn’t this! There isn’t a bigger iconic Marathi actor in the history of Marathi cinema than our beloved Nilu Bhau! While he was more popular for negative roles in films, he did play all kinds of character in different films & even plays! But more importantly, Nilu Bhau was known as a gold-hearted human being! He lived his life with utter simplicity & always participated in social work. He gave back much more than what he got from society!

Whom would we like to play Nilu Phule?

The supremely talented Sagar Karande would be our choice!

The post 5 Biopics We Would Like To See in Marathi Cinema in the Near Future appeared first on MarathiStars.

Cast: Ashok Saraf, Dilip Prabhawalkar, Shivaji Satam, Vikram Gokhale, Satish Alekar, Santosh Juvekar, Sharad Ponkshe, Uday Tikekar, Manjiri Phadnis & Deepti Lele

Director: Mahesh Manjrekar

Quick Viewpoint: The trailer, teaser & posters of ‘Mi Shivaji Park’ sell a completely different film! It feels like a deep intellectual drama that eventually turns out to be a poorly structured revenge drama with a forceful social context to it.

What Works?

• The theme. Though nothing new in it & having similarities to Manjrekar’s own ‘Virrudh’ (the Amitabh Bachchan starrer) it still somehow is very relatable to the audiences.
• Further rendition of the basic theme, the conceptual idea of retired old men recreating a version of a court case on their own.
• It’s just satisfying to watch stalwarts like Ashok Saraf, Dilip Prabhawalkar, Vikram Gokhale & others share screen together. Though Dilip Prabhawalkar stands out as he doesn’t miss a single beat in his performance like always!

What Fails?

• The starting conflict that initiates the narrative is so loosely set up that the there is no emotional relativity for the audiences towards the principal characters of the film.
• Absolutely horrendous silly mistakes in the detailing of the film. For e.g: In a flashback sequence set in either late 90s or early 2000s we see characters using smart phones!
• Tonnes of logical errors caused due to convenient twists & turns given to the narrative.
• The film ridicules Gandhism by unnecessarily connecting it to situations that doesn’t really have anything to do with it! For eg: a dialogue says how Gandhi followers who later became politicians resorted to violence against public agitations. The whole idea of a governing body & it’s defence is not a by product of Gandhism, it need not be associated with it.
• By the climax the film becomes a complete circus that jumbles up the whole socio-political message it wanted to endorse. You leave the theatre being clueless about what exactly did the film wanted to say?

Final Verdict: ‘Mi Shivaji Park’ suffers from serious lack of inspiration in saying something new or creating something of it’s own. It seems to just be a vehicle for the hugely respected star cast to come together.    

Rating: 1.5/5

The post ‘Mi Shivaji Park’ Quick Review: Mahesh Manjrekar’s Socio-Political Circus! appeared first on MarathiStars.

On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti the trailer of upcoming Marathi film ‘Me Shivaji Park‘ was posted on the Internet! It isn’t a coincidence that the trailer is released on Gandhi Jayanti! The trailer effectively presents a debate on values & principles of Mahatma Gandhi. Can those values be useful in today’s world! Are ‘Truth’ & ‘Non-violence’ still powerful weapons to fight injustice?

Different characters in the film portrayed by acting heavyweights like Ashok Saraf, Dilip Prabhawalkar, Vikram Gokhale, Shivaji Satam & Satish Alekar represent the angst of the middle class against the injustice around. The trailer of the film suggests that these retired old men decide to change things on their own, & for that they probably resort to violence. Is this the right way? Dilip Prabhawalkar’s character who is a Gandhi follower says he might even stand against his friends if he had too!

This conflict between two opposite value systems & the solid star cast of the film promises that ‘Me Shivaji Park’ is a must watch film! Moreover the film is directed by Mahesh Manjrekar! After a long time in Marathi cinema we are seeing a strong social thriller! It also has the backdrop of political ideologies of our country! ‘Me Shivaji Park‘ hits theatres on 18th October!

The post Me Shivaji Park Trailer: Is Gandhism Dead? appeared first on MarathiStars.

Multi-starrer films are always major attractions for audiences, especially when a seasoned director like Mahesh Manjrekar is bringing one for the audiences. ‘Me Shivaji Park’ written & directed by Mahesh Manjrekar stars a brigade of solid actors which includes Ashok Saraf, Dilip Prabhawalkar, Vikram Gokhale, Satish Alekar & Shivaji Satam! Produced by Gauri Pictures Productions & Mahesh Manjrekar Movies, Me Shivaji Park hits theatres on 18^th October!

The tagline of the film, ‘Dnyaydevata Andhali Aste…Amhi Dolas Hoto’ suggests that the film deals with the subject of law, court & justice! Every actor from the cast has his own style & rich history of doing varied roles in varied mediums! Along with them the film also stars Uday Tikekar, Sharad Ponkshe, Suhas Joshi, Savita Malpekar, Santosh Juvekar, Sushant Shelar, Deepti Lele, Manjiri Phadnis & others!

The film is produced by Dilipdada Sahebrao Yadav & Siddharth Kevalchand Jain & co-produced by Manhesh Ramchandra Jagtap, Shankar Rameshwar Mitkari, Bharar Chhaganlal Rathod & Milind Sitaram Vaste! So get ready to overwhelmed by a star studded cast in an intense drama film ‘Me Shivaji Park’ from 18^th of October at a theatre near you.

The post Mahesh Manjrekar’s ‘Me Shivaji Park’ is a Star Studded Film appeared first on MarathiStars.

• Movie :  Me Shivaji Park
• Producer : Dilip Sahebrao Yadav, Siddharth Kevalchand Jain
• Director : Mahesh Manjrekar
• Studio : Mahesh Manjrekar Movies and Gouri Pictures Production
• Star Cast :
  • Vikram Gokhale
  • Satish Alekar
  • Ashok Saraf
  • Shivaji Satam
  • Dilip Prabhavalkar
  • Sharad Ponkshe
  • Uday Tikekar
  • Savita Malpekar
  • Suhas Joshi
  • Bharti Achrekar
  • Santosh Juvekar
  • Sushant Shelar
  • Dipti Lele
  • Manjari Phadnis
• Story : Mahesh Manjrekar
• Screenplay : Mahesh Manjrekar
• Dialogues : Abhiram Bhadkamkar
• Singer : NA
• Lyrics : Shrirang Godbole, Vaibhav Joshi
• Music : Ajit Parab
• Sound Design : NA
• Background Score : NA
• Cinematography (DOP) : Karan Rawat
• Editor : Sarvesh Parab
• Art Director : NA
• Costume : NA
• Make-up : NA
• Executive Producer : NA
• Co Producer : Mahesh Ramchandra Jagtap, Shankar Rameshvar Mitkari, Bharat Chaganlal Rathod, Milind Sitaram Vaste
• Presenter : NA
• Choreography : NA
• Publicity Design : NA
• Visual Promotions : NA
• Digital Marketing : Vizual Junkies
• Marketing : NA
• Genre : Drama
• Release Date : 18th October 2018

Synopsis : NA

Me Shivaji Park Marathi Movie Poster/Photos :

Me Shivaji Park Marathi Movie Teaser/Trailer :

NA

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Pula Deshpande is a house hold name in Maharashtra. Generations after generation we have been loving Pula’s literature & he has entertained us & enlightened us in so many ways from plays, stand up comedy, music & even films. Pula is the most iconic Maharashtrian figure who should represent our culture on a national & international level.

However that hasn’t really happened. For example the way Rabindranath Tagore is known on a national level even after writing in Bengali, Pula too deserves that kind of love from the whole nation.

Soon this will be changed as from 21^st July a new Hindi serial on SAB TV titled ‘Namune’ will introduce characters created by Pula Deshpande to the national audiences! Popular Marathi actor Sanjay Mone will be portraying Pula in this serial! Along with that senior actor Dilip Prabhawalkar will be seen playing ‘Hari Tatya’, Subodh Bhave will be portraying the dashing character of ‘Nanda Pradhan’ & so on many Marathi actors will be seen playing different characters in ‘Namune’!

This is certainly one important step in expanding the reach of Marathi literature & getting love from overall Indian audiences! ‘Namune’ will be telecasted on SAB TV every Saturday & Sunday at 9 pm!

The post Pula Deshpande’s ‘Namune’ on SAB TV From Today appeared first on MarathiStars.

The much-awaited Madhuri Dixit debut in Marathi industry with ‘Bucket List’ directed by Tejas Prabha Vijay Deoskarhas been hugely celebrated by the audiences. The film revolves around a woman finding her way back to life and discovering the new meaning of it.

Madhura Sane’s character played by Madhuri Dixit was well received by critics and audiences across India and overseas, where the movie is still receiving an overwhelming response. Bucket List is produced under the banner of Dark Horse Cinemas, Dar Motion Pictures and Blue Mustang Creations Pvt.Ltd.

Karan Johar completed one task from his own wish list of entering into Marathi Film industry by presenting Bucket List along with AA films. The collaboration of Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit and Karan Johar took the industry by storms. Bucket List released on 25th May is already a Hit on Box Office & still running fair in theaters in India as well as overseas.

The post Madhuri Dixit’s Bucket List Still Going Strong in Theatres appeared first on MarathiStars.

• Review : Pimpal (2018)
• Producer : Supriya Sunil Phadtare, Ashwini Sidwani, Arpan Bhukhanwala and Deepak Kumar Bhagat
• Director : Gajendra Ahire
• Screenplay : Gajendra Ahire
• Star Cast : Dilip Prabhawalkar, Priya Bapat, Alok Rajwade, Sakhi Gokhale & Kishore Kadam
• Review by : Abhay Salvi

Rating : 4/5

Pimpal Review (Marathi Movie):

Gajendra Ahire directorial ‘Pimpal’ is one of his rare movies that understands the power of minimalism & inhibits it in & out. Running around one & a half hours, ‘Pimpal’ has a very specific world & an organic structure that doesn’t follow any norms of conventional storytelling usually seen in our films.

Dilip Prabhawalkar plays an old retired man living alone with some assistance from his cook (Kishore Kadam) & his doctor (Priya Bapat). The actual people in his life are probably only these two! But in a virtual world, he is connected to his two sons & their family including grandsons & a granddaughter almost on daily basis. His sons, daughters-in-law & grandchildren all of them seem genuinely interested in the old man through their regular video chats.

There are no distinct caricaturish features assigned to this old man, which makes him more believable! Even Priya Bapat’s character isn’t created like a make-believe movie character, to some extent we feel to be at distant from her real self, which again works for the film. At first, we are allowed to wonder what the film is actually about! Slowly we get into the actual soul of the film.

That soul too is minimalistic just as the approach to the overall making of the film. We have many times heard that it’s depressing for a single old person to survive once he/she loses their life partner. This film goes deep into this feeling, it’s not depressing, neither is it pleasant. It’s a bit of both! It’s a lot like being in love! A bittersweet feeling as they call it! This loneliness is more on the sub-conscious level than in physicality. How can an old man who has a loving family eagerly waiting for his arrival be lonely? One could ask this question? That’s the point in physicality (which also includes the virtual world) he isn’t alone, but in his conscience, he misses the life he had, he misses his wife, he regrets how he couldn’t live his life at it’s fullest when she was with him!

The film doesn’t really have a strategically constructed ‘story’. It just dwells on certain real human feelings & probably the most peacefully lonesome phase in a person’s life. It uses the medium of cinema in actualizing this lonesome atmosphere & we can experience the same through our senses in a cinema hall. Provided we open up our senses & look beyond a ‘story’ & a conventional idea of ‘entertainment’.

This is Dilip Prabhawalkar’s finest performance in a long long time! You couldn’t have anyone else in his part. He is tailor-made for the role & for the film. Priya Bapat too explores a new side of her in the film! Kishore Kadam gels well in the film too. Gajendra Ahire is a passionate Marathi filmmaker who has a habit of disregarding the technical aspects of the medium many times. But here since the film had a minimalist need in every way he has managed to make the film just about perfect in every way. His biggest achievement here is that he has captured the feeling of loneliness through image, sound & the overall atmosphere he creates in the film!

In a way, it works cathartically for those who regret their life decisions & wish they could have given more time to themselves & their loved ones.

Overall:

‘Pimpal’ is a must watch for those who love thought provoking simplistic films! While there are too many options in the theatres currently (including Marathi) ‘Pimpal’ is a clear stand out amongst all of them as it can give some peace of mind to the audiences in the midst of all chaos we are in right now.

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