• Review : Lalbaugchi Rani (2016)
• Producer : Boney Kapoor, Sunil Manchanda
• Directer : Laxman Utekar
• Star Cast : Veena Jamkar, Prathamesh Parab, Neha Joshi, Parth Bhalerao, Ashok Shinde
• Writer : Rohan Ghuge
• Music : Rohit Nagbhide
• Genre : Entertainment
• Certification : U
• Review By : Rasik Tirodkar

Rating : 2.5/5

Lalbaugchi Rani Marathi Movie Review:

Lalbaugchi Rani is about a 24 year-old girl called Sandhya who is a ‘special child’. She hasn’t really ventured out of her home much. On the eve of her birthday, her parents decide to treat her to a trip around the city. As expected, Sandhya somehow gets lost in the big bad world of Mumbai and encounters a bunch of eclectic characters.

The film is earnest. Sandhya despite seemingly having a comparatively lower intelligence quotient touches the life of the people she meets in the streets and also helps some realise the right path. The basic concept is certainly good. Another major plus is the technical strength. Some fine locations have been chosen for Sandhya’s adventure and they have been shot better than most Marathi films out there.Laxman Utekar has managed to assemble a pretty fine cast as well.The film does have some adorable moments and also makes you laugh at a few places.But still,it doesn’t entirely work due to two main reasons: Over the top acting by the lead and unconvincing scenarios.

Now, Veena Jamkar is certainly one of the better actors in Marathi film industry. We have seen in films like Vihir, Valu and Gabhricha Paus before that she has the ability to effortlessly slip into a role. Lalbaughchi Rani has to be the role where she has had the most scope to showcase her skill, but, rather sadly, I felt she overdoes the mannerisms of a girl with the problems her character has been shown. So when the main lead itself doesn’t impress, it certainly becomes difficult for the film to touch you. Maybe the director also has to share the blame here as Veena is usually known for her nuanced performances. He must have extracted the desired performance from Veena which comes across as a little over the top.

Another issue I had with the film was that the various scenarios in which Sandhya (or Lalbaughchi Rani like she calls herself) are rather unconvincing. Veena’s acting is so on the face here that you can make out from a distance that there is something unusual with the girl. However, the characters on the streets that she runs into seem oblivious to her mental problem. The conversations she has and the way she influences these characters isn’t very easy to believe. There are also some logical loopholes like Sandhya not being shown tired at all despite roaming around the city all day, but those can be ignored.

Overall:

Despite the earnest effort, the film doesn’t work entirely due to the lead actor’s performance and unconvincing scenarios.

The post Lalbaugchi Rani Review: Earnest effort, but not fully convincing. appeared first on MarathiStars.

What inspired you to make this film?

When I was shooting at Lalbaugh for the Don ganapati song, I came across a set of worried parents. They were looking their daughter who had gone missing in the maddening rush of Lalbaugh. They even mentioned that their girl is a ‘special’ child. Also, I had spent the whole day for three months on Girgaon Chowpatty by lying at home that I had got a job. During those three months I met a bunch of eclectic characters. I thought how about making a positive film from these two episodes and Lalbaugchi Rani is the result!

What made you make the transition from DoP to direction?

You sometimes need a kick for something to happen. I have always felt like telling stories. Even when I am behind camera I ensure that the emotion is perfectly depicted on screen. So one day something just struck in me and I decided to make the film.

Can you tell us about the poster design?

We usually have very preconceived notions about children who are not supposedly normal. With see them with a predecided point of view. So, our idea was to make the audience look at the poster with a different pov. And also express the positive and commercial mood of the film. Hence, the poster we have with a top down angle.

You have shot the film on location. Can you tell us about the sound design?

Yes. We have shot the film on numerous iconic locations all over the city. For the desired effect of on location shooting to come across the sound is equally important as the visuals. We were very particular about the sounds that you hear in Mumbai like that of the BEST bus or the taxi horns. We hired Nihar Ranjan Samal for it who has worked on many big projects like Piku.

How different it is to work in Marathi from Hindi?

In marathi film industry you have a lot more freedom to express yourself. You can be true to your subject and won’t have to make any compromises. There are no stars in the marathi film industry which is again an advantage. I really love working in marathi film industry!

The post Interview with ace cameraman Laxman utekar appeared first on MarathiStars.

Laxman Utekar, Famous cinematographer and director of Tapaal is back with his next film – Lalbaugchi Rani. The music launch of this film was recently done at iconic Laalbaug in Mumbai in a live music concert. Producer Boney Kapoor was present as a chief guest for this occasion.

Divya Kumar enchanted audience with his “Ladachi Mumbai” and Vaishali Bhaisane Made and Jahnivi Prabhu Arora made everyone dance on their foot tapping number “Roop tera”. Kirte Sangathiya’s romantic “Mala Rang Milale” was also appreciated by the audience. The title song “Aali Aali Laalbaughchi Rani” was sung by Adarsh Shinde and along with the cast of the film, audience also danced on this amazing number.

The music has been composed by Rohit Nagbhide. The film stars Veena Jamkar, Prathamesh Parab, Ashok Shinde, Parth Bhalerao, Neha Joshi, Jaywant Wadkar, Pratima Joshi, Suyash Joshi, Reshma Naik et al. The film has been produced by Sunil Manchanda under the banner of Mad Entertainment.

The film will be releasing on 3 June all over Maharashtra.

The post Music concert for Laalbaugche Rani appeared first on MarathiStars.

What excited about the role the most?

I have mostly been associated with ‘serious’ films. Though I have immense love for all the films I have been a part of, but then I was getting a bit typecasted. Then out of nowhere Laxman Utekar called me up narrated me story of Lalbaugchi Rani and also said that I will do the film only if you do this role. First of all, I felt it was an honour to be offered a film in this manner. And secondly, when he narrated the story and the role to me I came to realise that it was exactly the role I was looking for. It was challenging, given that I was playing the role of a ‘special child’, and also the whole film had a very positive vibe. There is no emotional melodrama despite the subject. Rather I got to do a lot of comedy.

How did you prepare for the role of a ‘special child’?

Meeting and observing children who are ‘special’ was the best preparation for me. First, I started reading a few books to understand them. Googled a bit of info. But when I met them I felt all the bookish knowledge that I was collecting was obsolete.

How was the experience of meeting them?

Oh, it was wonderful! What is important is meeting them with a blank slate. We usually have preconceived notions about some facts in life. If we leave these notions back at home, we realise how beautiful these children are. There is no difference between us and them. Rather, I would say, they are smarter than others.

How was the experience of shooting on iconic locations in Mumbai?

Despite shooting on locations all over the city we never really faced any crowd trouble. I guess the public of Mumbai are used to watching shootings now. They just observe and don’t trouble you at all. Rather when I was doing my comic scene I was getting live feedback from the public which I think enhanced my performance.

Tell us about your rapport with Laxman Utekar.

This is the second film I am doing with him. When I did Tapaal, that time itself I realised that he is a very gifted director. He is like a dear friend to me. Given my image of playing roles of women from rural areas, no director was ready to give me the role of a young urban girl. But Laxman showed that faith in me and for that I am indebted to him for my whole life. Million thanks to him!

The post A brief chat with Lalbaugchi Rani – Veena jamkar appeared first on MarathiStars.

• Movie :  Lalbaugchi Rani | लालबागची राणी
• Producer : Boney Kapoor, Sunilmanchanda
• Directer : Laxman Utekar
• Star Cast : Veena Jamkar, Parth Bhalerao, Prathamesh Parab, Aashok Shinde, Neha Joshi, ‪‎Nandita Dhuri‬, Pratima Joshi, Reshma Shinde, ‎Subrat Dutta, Jaywant Wadkar
• Story : Rohan Ghuge
• Music : Rohit Nagbhide
• DOP : Lawrence D’Cunha
• Editor : Dev Rao Jadhav
• Production Design : Subrata Chakrabotry & Amit Ray
• Sound Design : Nihar Ranjan Samal
• Executive Producer : Anant Bhuwad
• Genre : Drama
• Release Date : 3rd June 2016

Lalbaugchi Rani Marathi Movie Poster / Still Photos :

The post Lalbaugchi Rani – Marathi Movie appeared first on MarathiStars.

The trailer of Marathi Movie Lalbaughchi Rani begins with a spectacular shot of the Gateway of India; shot at dawn with the rising sun in the background and a flutter of the ever present pigeons there. The shot makes it clear that the film has been shot with a distinct visual look; it is no surprise that the director of the film Laxman Utekar is an ace cameraman himself.

We are shown glimpses of a girl named Sandhya. She is clearly a special child and a darling of her parents. Born and brought up in the vicinity of the popular Lalbaughcha Raja ganapati, Sandhya is fondly called Lalbaughchi Rani by people close to her. Veena Jamkar seems to have got under the skin of the character of Sandhya from the trailer; her expressions are spot on, not overdone at all, and you can’t look anywhere else in the frame once she is there.The trailer then shows us Veena taking a tour around Mumbai and bumping into an eclectic mix of characters. Being a special child it isn’t safe for her to be on her own in the big bad world of Mumbai. The sense of thrill of something untoward happening to Sandhya is certainly there in the film, but despite handling a sensitive issue there is a positive vibe to the whole film which promises a pleasant experience at the movies.

Lalbaughchi Rani technically looks topnotch. It is produced by Boney Kapoor and Sunil Manchanda. It is slated to release on June 3^rd, 2016.

The post Lalbaugchi Rani Trailer | Ft Veena Jamkar, Prathamesh Parab appeared first on MarathiStars.

The main attraction of the Ganesha’s festival is “The Lalbaugcha Raja, King of Lalbaug”. Everyone knows about the Lalbaugcha Raja, but anyone heard about the Queen of Lalbaugh?If no one heard about this, let us tell you the good news about the film industry.
Marathi movie Tapaal‘s director Laxman Utekar coming up with his new Marathi movie titled, “Lalbaugchi Rani“.

Actress Veena Jamkar will play the role of queen of Lalbaugh in this movie. Along with her Prathamesh Parab, Neha Joshi, Parth Bhalerao, Ashok Shinde and many more actors are the part of this movie.

Lalbaughchi Rani is produced by Boney Kapoor, Sunil Manchanda.

Watch official motion poster of Lalbaugchi Rani :

The post Veena Jamkar in & as ‘Lalbaugchi Rani’ appeared first on MarathiStars.

The special screening of the Marathi film Tapaal has seen many Bollywood celebrities, who wished best luck to the film. Akshay Kumar, Arjun Kapoor, Bony Kapoor, Sridevi, Imtiaz Ali, R Balki, Gauri Shinde, Ravi Jadhav attended this screening. Sridevi later expressed on Twitter, a social networking site as, “Just watched Marathi film “Tapaal“. After a long time, was teary eyed & emotionally choked. Must watch film for all. Laxman who was DoP of English Vinglish has done a commendable job in his first film as director & has packed some memorable moments in Tapaal” Akshay Kumar also praised the film and urged people to watch this film on 26 September.

Letter writing was once considered as a skilful art, receiving a letter was always associated with feelings and emotions. “Tapaal” a Marathi movie directed by Laxman Utekar has managed to create this nostalgia on silver screen. The film has already won many prestigious awards before release. What more, it has already started getting praises from Bollywood.

Another screening for the film was presented for the postmen. Every single postman was moved by the film.

The post Sridevi was teary eyed after watching ‘Tapaal’. appeared first on MarathiStars.

Noted film director and creative producer Mangesh Hadawale will be visiting USA from September 26-October 7, 2014 as MarathiUSA an organization of Maharashtrians in USA hosts a “Festival of Films of Mangesh Hadawale”. As part of the festival, MarathiUSA in collaboration with various Marathi Mandals will screen some of the films by Mangesh Hadwale in Chicago, Ann Arbor and Detroit areas. The schedule includes films like Tingya, Dekh Indian Circus and Tapaal.

Tingya is based on the life of a rural boy and his love and friendship with his bull. It concentrates on the hardships faced by the farmers. Tingya was nominated and have won numerous awards and was screened at the Pune International Film Festival and the ‘Mumbai Academy of Movies Images’.Tingya have won best film award at ‘Mumbai Academy of Movies Images’ in Mumbai on 14 March 2008. Child artist (SharadGeokar) who played the role of rural boy won National Film Award for Best Child Artist for the year 2008.

Dekh Indian Circus provides an entertaining metaphor for rural India’s struggle to access the supposed economic miracle of that east Asian nation. The film premiered at 16th Busan Film Festival in the New Currents section, opening to positive review from critics and winning the Audience Choice award. Nawazuddin Siddiqui &Tannishtha Chatterjee won the best actor and actress awards respectively for this movie at the 12th annual New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF).

Tapaal is directed by Laxman Utekar. Mangesh Hadawale is the script writer and creative Producer. The film is set in an Indian village in 1977. The film involves an incident in the life of a postman, serving a small rural community when letter were the only bridge connecting villages to the rest of the world. The film has won several awards including Maharashtra State Award and Film Festival of South Africa. Cast includes Nandu Madhav, Veena Jamkar and Milind Gunaji.

MarathiUSA is Ann Arbor Michigan USA based organization for the promotion of Marathi performing arts and Maharashtrian culture in the United States.

Following is a Schedule (All the screenings will be followed by Q and A sessions)

Sept 26: 7 PM, Thanedar Residence, Reception for Mangesh Hadawale and screening of movie Tingya
Sept. 27: 4 PM Screening of Tapaal in Detroit Michigan USA
October 1: 7 PM screening of Dekh Indian Circus, Ann Arbor Michigan.
October 4: 4 PM Screening of Tapaal in Chicago Illinois.

The post Filmmaker Mangesh Hadawale to showcase his films in USA appeared first on MarathiStars.

Tapaal, a movie produced by Maitrey Mass Media has won three awards in different categories. These awards were presented in a recently held function. Rohit Utekar was presented Best Child Actor by Arun Nalavade, and Prakash Holkar was awarded best lyricist by Dilip Prabhavalkar for Don Disaanchee Saavalee. The film is directed by Laxman Utekar.

The film has already been showcased in nine film festivals like IFFI, Third Eye Asian Film festival, and Pune International Film Festival. Veena Jamkar has already won a prestigious IFSA Award from South Africa for her character of Tulsa in this film.

The post Tapaal wins State Award for best child actor and Best Lyricist appeared first on MarathiStars.