Marathi cinema

Marathi cinema (मराठी चित्रपट) is one of the oldest in regional Indian films industry. The first Marathi talkie film "Ayodhyecha Raja (produced by Prabhat Films) was released in 1932, just one year after "Alam Ara" the first Indian (Hindi) talkie film. Marathi cinema has grown in recent years -the industry is based in Mumbai, India.

History

Start

Marathi Cinema is as old as Cinema in India. In fact the pioneer of cinema in India was Dadasaheb Phalke - a Marathi man, who brought the revolution of moving images to India with his first indigenously made film Raja Harishchandra. It was of course a silent film. However it can be called the first Marathi film as it was conceived by a Marathi speaking person.

As cinema grew in India, big production houses came on the stage and one of them was again a company owned wholly by Maharashtrians. It was indeed the mighty Prabhat film company. Some of India's landmark films were made by the Prabhat Film Company, which, apart from being good cinema, had social responsibility and human values. Prabhat's Sant Tukaram was the first Indian film to win the Best Film Award at the Venice film festival way back in 1937. In 1954, at the very first edition of the National Awards, the winner of the President's Gold Medal was Shyamchi Aai, Acharya P K Atre's film version of the eponymous novel by Sane Guruji.

The Golden era

Marathi Cinema was in its full bloom by this time with the advent of greats like V. Shantaram, Master Vinayak, Bhalji Pendharkar, Acharya Atre, followed by Raja Paranjpe, G. D. madgulkar, Sudhir Phadke. Later years - that is the 60s - saw the emergence of directors like Anant Mane who made Marathi films based on the folk art form Tamasha. Then came directors like Datta Dharmadhikari and Raj Dutt who made traditional family dramas. The early 70s saw the advent of Dada Kondke who captured the audiences with his sense of humour. He however went on to make films with double meaning dialogues and created an audience of his own. By this time Marathi Cinema was caught in either the Tamasha genre or sob stories revolving around traditional family dramas on one side and the double meaning comedies of Dada Kondke.

80's

Then came the 80s. This decade saw two comedy heroes catapult to superstardom Ashok Saraf and Laxmikant Berde. Around the mid 80s two young actors donned the director's mantle. Mahesh Kothare and Sachin Pilgaonkar. Sachin made a film - Navri Mile Navryala and around the same time Mahesh Kothare made a film - Dhumdhadaka. Sachin's film became a big box-office hit while Mahesh Kothare's film not only became a mega hit at the box-office but it also became a trend setter and brought the young audiences to Marathi Cinema. Mahesh Kothare then went on to make comedy films which became big hits. He made the first Marathi film shot on the anamorphic format (Cinemascope) - Dhadakebaaz. He brought a great deal of innovations in the technical quality of Marathi films and was also the first to bring Dolby Digital sound to Marathi Cinema with the film Chimni Pakhara. He made the first Marathi film with Digital Special Effects - Pachadlela in 2004.

Reasons for debacle of Marathi cinema

While the theatre of Maharashtra earned recognition at the national level, the cinema of the state, struggled as an alsoran, unable to make a mark. The proximity to the production centre of Hindi cinema (Bollywood) which encroached on the identity of Marathi cinema, the shortage of cinema halls for exhibition, a vibrant theatre, television, then infamous state government subsidy scheme whereby a producer gets some Rs 16 lakh to make a film, tries hard to save a couple of lakhs even from that meagre amount and ends up with a tacky final product, lack of marketing etc. It also lacked the powerful lobby at the national level unlike Bengal or South Indian cinema.

Revival of Marathi Cinema

In past few years,Marathi cinema industry has produced many movies that are not only critically acclaimed but commercially successful also.This has given Marathi viewers as well as producers confidence that was very much needed.Although budgets of Marathi movies is not high the quality of subjects and presentations have been in fact better than peer industries.

Contemparary

Marathi Cinema also got the highest critical acclaim in the year 2004 with the film Shwaas bagging the Golden Lotus National Award. It was also India's official entry to the 77th Academy Awards and it also won the President medal for the best film. Shwaas,after Shyaamchi aai (1950) is only Marathi film to won president's medal and only regional film to enter Academy awards as India's official entry.

The Maharashtra state government has started the grant given to Marathi film (from 15-30 lakh rupees) and since post-Shwaas, media players like Shringar Films and Zee Telefilms are now showing a keen interest in Marathi cinema. The growing popularity of Marathi television (notably Zee Marathi and ETV Marathi) has also helped Marathi cinema a lot. In fact, Zee Talkies, a 24 hour channel dedicated to Marathi movies has been introduced. Movies like Aga bai areccha, Khabardar, Dombivali fast,Anaahat, Sarivar sari,Yanda kartavya aahe, Uttarayan, Tingya,Valu - The Wild Bull, De Dhakka, Maati Maay, Kadachit have received commercial and/or critical success. This decade has seen the emergence of stars like Sunil Barve, Shreyas Talpade, Sandeep Kulkarni, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Sonali Kulkarni, Amruta Subhash, Ashwini Bhave, Sanjay Narvekar, Atul Kulkarni, Sachin Khedekar, Bharat Jadhav. Film-makers like Kedar Shinde, Gautam Joglekar, Gajendra Ahire, Bipin Nadkarni, Mahesh Manjrekar, Chandrakant Kulkarni, Nishikant Kamath, Umesh Kulkarni, Mangesh Hadawale are new entrants with veterans like Mahesh Kothare, Chitra Palekar (Maati Maay), Sumitra Bhave (Devrai, Vaastupurush, Doghi, Nital, Badha) Smita Talwalkar, Amol Palekar (Anaahat, Samaantar, Bangarwadi).

Awards

Filmfare Awards

Production Year	Film	Director	Actor	Actress	Music
1963	Maza Hoshil Ka	L.B.Thakur
1964	Sant Nivrutti Gyandeo	Vinayak Sarasvate & Bal Chavan
1965	Lakshmi Aali Ghara	Madhav Shinde
1966	Gurukilli	Raja Paranjpe
1967	Pawnakanthcha Dhondi	Vinayak Thakur
1968	Ekti	G. Chaugule
1969	Jiwhala	Atmaram
1970	Apradh	Sharad Pilgaonkar
1971	Shantata! Court Chaloo Ahe	Satyadev Dubey & Govind Nihalani
1972	Kunku Mazhe Bhagyache	Shamrao Mane
1973	Andhala Marto Dola	Dada Kondke
1974	Sugandhi Katta	Not Awarded	Shreeram Lagoo (Sugandhi Katta)	Sarla Yevlekar (Sugandhi Katta)
1975	Samna	Jabbar Patel (Samna)	Shreeram Lagoo (Samna)	Sandhya (Chandanachi Choli Ang Ang Jali)
1976	Aaram Haram Aahe	Vasant Joglekar (Ha Khel Saavlyancha)	Ravindra Mahajani (Zunj)	Asha Kale (Ha Khel Saavlyancha)
1977	Naon Mothan Lakshan Khotan	Murlidhar Kapdi (Naon Mothan Lakshan Khotan)	Shreeram Lagoo (Bhingree)	Usha Chavan (Naon Mothan Lakshan Khotan)
1978	Devki Nandan Gopala	Jabbar Patel (Jait Re Jait)	Yashwant Dutt (Bhairu Pahilwan Ki Jai)	Smita Patil (Jait Re Jait)
1979	Sinhasan	Jabbar Patel (Sinhasan)	Sachin (Ashtavinayak)	Ranjana (Sushila)
1980	22 June 1897	Jayu & Nachiket Patwardhan (22 June 1897)	Nilu Phule (Sahkar Samrat)	Usha Chavan (Ran Pakhre)
1981	Umbartha	Jabbar Patel (Umbartha)	Girish Karnad (Akriet)	Smita Patil (Umbartha)
1982	Shapit	Raj Dutt & Arvind Deshpande (Shapit)	Ashok Saraf (Gondhalat Gondhal)	Madhu Kambikar (Shapit)
1983	Gupchup Gupchup	V. K. Naik (Gupchup Gupchup)	Ashok Saraf (Goshta Dhamal Namyachi)	Ranjana (Savitri)
1984	Lek Chalali Saasarla	N. S. Vaidya (Lek Chalali Saasarla)	Ashok Saraf (Sage Soyre)	Supriya Sabnis (Navri Mile Navryala)
1987	Dhoom Dhadaka	Mahesh Kothari (Dhoom Dhadaka)	Laxmikant Berde	??
1994	Vazir	Sanjay Rawal (Vazir)	Vikram Gokhale (Vazir)	Sukanya Kulkarni (Varsa Laxmicha)	Shridhar Phadke (Varsa Laxmicha)
1995	Aai	Mahesh Manjrekar (Aai)	Sayaji Shinde (Aboli)	Renuka Shahane (Aboli)	Anand Modak (Mukta)
1996	Putravati	Nichiket & Jayoo Patwardhan (Limited Manuski)	Ashok Saraf (Soona Yeti Ghara)	Sonali Kulkarni (Doghi)	Shridhar Phadke (Putravati)
1997	Bangarwadi	Amol Palekar (Bangarwadi)	Mohan Joshi (Rao Saheb)	Sukanya Kulkarni (Sarkarnama)	Anand Modak (Sarkarnama)
1998	Tu Tithe Mee	Sanjay Soorkar (Tu Tithe Mee)	Mohan Joshi (Tu Tithe Mee)	Suhas Joshi (Tu Tithe Mee)	Anand Modak (Tu Tithe Mee)
1999	Bindhast	Chandrakant Kulkarni (Bindhast)	Dilip Prabhavalkar (Ratra Aarambh)	Sharvari Jamenis (Bindhast)	Shridhar Phadke (Lekru)

Maharashtra State Awards

Production Year	Best Film 1	Best Film 2	Best Film 3
1962	Prapanch (Madhukar Pathak)	Suvasini (Raja Paranjpe)	Shahir Parshuram (Anant Mane)
1963	Ranglya Ratri Ashya (Raja Thakur)	Ha Maazha Marg Ekla (Raja Paranjpe)	Phkira (Chandrashekar)
1964	Chhota Jawaan, Paathlag (Raja Gabale, Raja Paranjpye)	Pahu Re Kiti Vat (Raja Thakur)	Thoratanchi Kamala (Madhu Shinde)
1965	Vautal (Shantaram Aathavale)	Sawal Mazha Aika (Anant Mane)	Third award not given
1966	Sadhi Maanse (Bhalji Pendharkar)	Kela Ishara Jata Jata (Anant Mane)	Shewatcha Malusara (Vasant Joglekar)
1967	Sant Vahate Krishnamai (Madhukar Pathak)	Kaka Mala Wachwa (Raja Paranjpe)	Swapna Tech Lochni (Chandrawadan)
1968	Gharchi Rani (Rajdutt)	Aamhi Jato Aamuchya Gawa (Kamalakar Torne)	Ekti (Raja Thakur)
1969	Apradh (Rajdutt)	Mukkam Post Dhebewadi (Madhukar Pathak)	Dharmkanya (Madhav Shinde)
1970	Mumbaicha Jawai (Raja Thakur)	Warnecha Wagh (Vasant Painter)	Laxmanresha (Manshav Shinde)
1971	Gharkul (Raja Thakur)	Shantata Court Chalu Aahe (Satyadev Dubey)	Dohni Gharcha Pahuna, Songadya (Garjanan Jagirdar, Govind Kulkarni)
1972	Jawai Vikat Ghene Aahe (Raja Thakur)	Bholibhabdi (Rajdutt)	Aandla Marto Dola (Dinesh)
1973	Sugandhi Katha (Vasant Painter)	Kartiki (Datta Mane)	Ashi Hi Sataryadi (Murlidhar Kapadi)
1974	Pandu Hawaldar (Dada Kondke)	Saamna (Dr. Jabbar Patel)	Bayanno Naure Sambhala (Dattatry Kulkarni)
1975	Charicha Mamla (Babsaheb Phattelal)	Tumch Aamch Jamle (Dada Kondke)	Pahuni (Anant Mane)
1976	Phrari (V. Ravindra)	Bala Gau Kashi Aangai (Kamlakar Torne)	Naav Motha Lakshan Khota (Murlidhar Kapadi)
1977	Devkinandan Gopala (Rajdutt)	Bhairu Phehelwan Ki Jai (Kamlakar Torne)	Jait Re Jait (Dr. Jabbar Patel)
1978	Janki (Vasant Joglekar)	Ashtavinayak (Rajdutt)	Bot Lavin Tithe Gudgulaya (Dada Kondke)
1979	22 June 1897 (Nechiket and Jayu Patwardhan)	Sinhasan (Dr. Jabbar Patel)	Paij (Babasaheb Phattelal)
1980	Umbartha (Dr. Jabbar Patel)	Gondhlat Gondhal (V.K. Naik)	Aakrit (Amol Palekar)
1981	Shapit (Rajdutt and Arvind Deshpande)	Ek Dav Bhootacha (Ravi Namade)	Aali Angawar (Dada Kondke)
1982	Raghu-Maina (Rajdutt)	Goopchoop Goopchoop (V.K. Naik)	Thorli Jau (Kamlakar Torne)
1983	Hech Mazhe Maher (Rajdutt)	Thkas Mahathak (Raja Bargir), Mumbaicha Phoujdar (Rajdutt) (Divided)	Bahurupi (Satish Randive)
1984	Ardhangi (Rajadutt)	Deva Shapath Kharan Sangen (Bhaskar Jadhav)	Stridhan (Babasaheb Phattelal)
1985	Pudhcha Paul (Rajdutt)	Tuzhyavdachun Karmena (Damu Kenkare)	Aaj Zale Mukt Me (Rajdutt)
1986	Prem Karuya Khullam Khulla (Girish Ghanekar)	Gammat Jammat (Sachin)	Khatyal Sasu Nathal Sun (N.S. Vaidya)
1987	Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (Sachin)	Nashibvan (N.S. Vaidya)	Rangat Sangat (Girish Ghanekar)
1988	Kalat Nakalat (Kanchan Nayak)	Aatmavishwas (Sachin)	Hamal De Dhamal (Purushottam Berde)
1989	Aaghat (Ramakant Kavthekar)	Ekapeksha Ek (Sachin)	Kooldeepak (N.S. Vaidya)
1990	Chaukat Raja (Sanjay Surkar)	Vedh (Pradip Berlekar)	Anapekshit (Sanjiv Naik)
1991	Ek Hota Vidushak (Dr. Jabbar Patel)	Aapli Mansan (Sanjay Surkar)	Vajwa Re Vajwa (Girish Ghanekar)
1992	Vazir (Sanjay Rawal)	Sawat Mazhi Ladki (Smita Talwalkar)	Lapandav (Shravani Devdhar)
1993	Mukta (Dr. Jabbar Patel)	Warsa Laxmicha (Madhukar Pathak)	Mazha Chhakula (Mahesh Kothare)
1994	Doghi (Sumitra Bhave)	Bangarwadi (Amol Palekar)	Aboli (Amol Shedge)
1995	Raosaheb (Sanjay Surkar)	Putrawati (Bhaskar Jadhav)	Suna Yeti Ghara (A. Radhaswani)
1999	Gaabhara (N.F.D)	Gharabaher (Suyog Chitra)	Bindhast (Devyani Movies)

National Film Awards

Production Year	Best Film	Best Director
1954	Shyamchi Aai	Acharya Pralhad Keshav Atre
1955	Mahatma Phule	Aacharya Atre
1956	Mee Tulas Tuzhya Angani	Raja Thakur
1957	Shirdiche Saibaba	Kumarsen Samarth
1958	Gruhdevta	Madhav Shinde
1959	Dhakti jau	Anant Mane
1961	Kanyadan	Madhav Shinde
1962	Prapanch	Madhukar Pathak
1962	Manini	Anant Mane
1962	Vaijyanta	Gajanan Jagirdar
1963	Ranglya Ratri Asha	Raja Thakur
1963	Gariba Gharchi Lek	Kamlakar Torne
1963	Jawai Mazha Bhala	Neelkanth Magdum
1964	Ha Mazha Marg Ekla	Raja Paranjpe
1964	Te Mazhe Ghar	Ganesh Bhatt
1965	Pathlag	Raja Paranjpe
1966	Sadhi Manasa	Bhalji Pendharkar
1967	Pavana Kathcha Dhondi	Anant Thakur
1968	Santh Wahate Krishnamai	Madhukar Pathak
1969	Ekti	Raja Thakur
1970	Tambdi Mati	Bhalji Pendharkar
1971	Mumbaicha Jawai	Raja Thakur
1972	Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe	Satyadev Dubey
1972	Ajab Tuzhe Sarkar	Raja Thakur
1973	Pinjara	V. Shantaram
1976	Saamna	Dr.Jabbar Patel
1978	Jait Re Jait	Dr. Jabbar Patel
1979	Sinhasan	Dr. Jabbar Patel
1980	22 June 1897	Nachiket and Jayu Patwardhan
1982	Umbartha	Dr. Jabbar Patel.
1983	Shaapit	Arvind Deshpande-Rajdutt
1984	Smruti Chitre	Vijaya Mehta
1985	Mahananda	K.G.Korgaokar
1986	Pudhcha Paool	Rajdutta
1987	Sarja	Rajdutt
1989	Kalat Nakalat	Kanchan Nayak
1992	Ek Hota Vidushak	Dr. Jabbar Patel
1993	Lapandav	Shravani Devdhar
1994	Mukta	Dr. Jabbar Patel
1995	Bangarwadi	Amol Palekar
1996	Doghi	Sumitra Bhave
2000	GharaBaher	Sanjay Surkar
2001	Astitva	Mahesh Manjrekar
2003	Vaastuprush	Sumitra Bhave/Sunil Sukthankar
2004	Not Only Mrs. Raut	Gajendra Ahire
2005	Uttarayan	Bipin Nadkarni
2006	Dombivali Fast	Nishikant Kamat
2006-2007	Shevri	Gajendra Ahire

References

External links

• A portal of Marathi Cinema
• Stills From Marathi Movies