We are again reached that time of the calendar when we cherish the best Marathi films of the year. Like previous few years, 2014 too saw its shares of good and excellent films with a minor share of the bad ones. So here is our list of the best 10 Marathi films of 2014.
By: Keyur Seta

10) Salaam (2014)

Director: Kiran Yadnyopavit
Cast: Vivek Chabukswar, Abhishek Bharate, Girish Kulkarni, Kishore Kadam

Director Kiran Yadnyopavit continues his good form after Taryanche Bait. Like the 2011 film, Salaam too succeeds in presenting a human bond that moves you no ends. The film is a good example of using the visual medium to not only tell the story but also present various twists. In short, the title is apt for it.

9) Poshter Boyz (2014)

Director : Sameer Patil
Cast : Dilip Prabhavalkar, Hrishikesh Joshi, Aniket Vishwasrao, Neha Joshi

The film worked due to two reasons. The makers have dealt with the topic of vasectomy, which is unheard in Indian cinema and too in a manner that the entire family can watch. Secondly, the film was a laugh riot for almost its entire duration. In a nutshell, Poshter Boyz is a fine example of presenting a social issue in an entertaining manner.

8) Rege (2014)

Director : Abhijit Panse
Cast : Mahesh Manjrekar, Aroh Welankar, Pushkar Shrotri, Santosh Juvekar

Underworld isn’t a novel concept, especially for those having regular exposure of Hindi cinema. But Panse brings in a unique way to narrate a tale about the underworld in an intense and gripping manner. Rege is filled with creatively filmed scenes that give you a high. It also succeeds in indirectly putting forth a message.

7) Fandry (2014)

Director : Nagraj Manjule
Cast : Somnath Avghade, Suraj Pawar, Kishore Kadam, Rajshree Kharat

It is amazing how in his very first feature film, director Nagraj Manjule has shown such artistic brilliance while narrating such a simple tale. But this is not the only big achievement of Fandry. You just can’t help but applaud how Manjule has also given a moral slap to the evil of casteism and also to those who follow it. The film is also helped by a terrific act by Somnath Avghade.

6) Elizabeth Ekadashi (2014)

Director : Paresh Mokashi
Cast : Shrirang Mahajan, Nandita Dhuri, Sayali Bhandarkavathekar, Pushkar Lonkar

The five-year wait for Mokashi’s next film after the classic Harishchandrachi Factory was worth. Elizabeth Ekadashi is yet another simple, realistic and heartwarming tale from Marathi cinema. With a taut length and characters you fall in love with, it succeeds in bringing a smile on your face. Child actors Shrirang Mahajan, Sayali Bhandarkavathekar and Pushkar Lonkar deserve special mention for their outstanding acts.

5) Dhag (2014)

Director : Shivaji Lotan Patil
Cast : Usha Jadhav, Upendra Limaye, Hansraj Jagtap, Nagesh Bhosale

The film can boast of presenting a disturbing tale of cremators without making it depressing whatsoever despite a tragic twist. The writing and direction make way for an intense and compelling storytelling with a very positive climax. Dhag has won three National Awards for Best Director, Best Actress (Usha Jadhav) and Best Child Actor (Hansraj Jagtap) and rightly so.

4) Ajoba (2014)

Director : Paresh Mokashi
Cast : Shrirang Mahajan, Nandita Dhuri, Sayali Bhandarkavathekar, Pushkar Lonkar

Ajoba is an achievement not only for Marathi cinema but Indian cinema as a whole. The country has never seen a wildlife film based on a leopard before. The film produces a gripping and heart-wrenching effect as it talks about how the poor animal is forced to enter cities due to the hypocrisy of human beings. Apart from also being top-notch in technical aspects, Ajoba also has a truly dedicated act by Urmila Matondkar, who makes her Marathi film debut with this one.

3) Astu – So Be It (2014)

Director : Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar
Cast : Mohan Agashe, Iravati Harshe, Milind Soman, Nachiket Purnapatre, Amruta Subhash, Devika Daftardar

There are very few that say a lot of things without saying anything. Astu – So Be It is one such film. It succeeds in achieving high degree of reality through the makers’ uncompromising attitude. With Agashe’s brilliant act and the issue of Alzheimer’s it gives a message in a manner that can move anyone.

2) Happy Journey (2014)

Director : Sachin Kundalkar
Cast : Atul Kulkarni, Priya Bapat, Pallavi Subhash

Happy Journey more than lives up to the title through an emotional as well as delightful tale and a contemporary manner of storytelling. The novelty and unpredictability in the concept is the biggest positive factor here followed by Kundalkar’s mature handling of a sensitive subject. Kulkarni and Bapat also prove their mettle with high quality performances.

1) Yellow (2014)

Director : Mahesh Limaye
Cast:  Gauri Gadgil, Mrinal Kulkarni, Upendra Limaye, Hrishikesh Joshi

There are very few that can be labeled as a masterpiece. Mahesh Limaye’s Yellow is one such rare piece of cinema that impressed people from all age groups, class or nationality. Despite the film being based on the life of a girl suffering from Down’s Syndrome, it is full of delightful moments. An incredible performance by Gauri Gadgil has a huge contribution.