Marathi cinema

Ayodhyecha Raja (1932), the first Marathi film, was made by Prabhat Films

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Marathi cinema (मराठी चित्रपट) refers to films produced in the Marathi language in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is the oldest and pioneer film industry in India. The first film in India was a silent film called Raja Harishchandra (1913), which was made in Marathi by a legendary marathi, Dadasaheb Phalke and a Marathi crew who were performing Marathi & Sanskrit Sangeet natikas (musicals) and plays in marathi at that period. The first Marathi talkie film, Ayodhyecha Raja^[1] (produced by Prabhat Films) was released in 1932, just one year after "Alam Ara" the first Hindi talkie film. Marathi cinema has grown in recent years. The industry is based in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

History

Silent movies period

Raja Harishchandra

Marathi Cinema is the oldest form of Indian cinema. Dadasaheb Phalke is known as the first pioneer and founder of cinema in Pre-Independence India. He brought the revolution of moving images to India with his first indigenously made film Raja Harishchandra in 1913, which is considered by IFFI & NIFD as part of Marathi cinema as it was made by a Marathi dialogues while shooting and fully marathi crew.^[2] Kolhapur in Western Maharashtra was another centre of active film production in the twenties. In 1919 Baburao Mistry - popularly known as Baburao Painter formed the Maharashtra Film Company with the blessings of the Maharaja of Kolhapur and released the first significant historical - Sairandhari (1920) with Balasheb Pawar, Kamala Devi and Zunzarrao Pawar in stellar roles. Because of his special interest in sets, costumes, design and painting, he chose episodes from Maratha history for interpreting in the new medium and specialised in the historical genre.^[3]. Baburao Painter made many silent movies till 1930 however after a few more silent films, the Maharashtra Film Company pulled down its shutters with the advent of sound. Baburao was not particularly keen on the talkies for he believed that they would destroy the visual culture so painfully evolved over the years.^[4]

After advent of Sound

As cinema grew in Union of India, major production houses rose and one of them was again a company owned wholly by Maharashtrians, the Prabhat Film Company. Prabhat's Sant Tukaram was the first Indian film to win the Best Film Award at the Venice film festival in 1937.^[5] In 1954 at the very first edition of the National Awards, Shyamchi Aai another Marathi film, won the first President's Gold Medal for Cinema. The film was directed by Acharya P K Atre, and it was an adaptation of the eponymous novel by Sane Guruji.^[6]

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, Dinkar D Patil, G. D. Madgulkar, Sudhir Phadke. 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 later went on to create satirical, pun-ridden films often including social and political commentary, many of which became cult classics. By this time Marathi Cinema was caught in either the Tamasha genre or tragedies revolving around traditional family dramas on one side and the comedies of Dada Kondke.

80s

The 80s saw two comedy heroes catapult to stardom, Ashok Saraf and Laxmikant Berde. Around the mid 80s two young actors, donned the director's mantle: Mahesh Kothare and Sachin Pilgaonkar. Pilgaonkar directed Navri Mile Navryala and around the same time Mahesh Kothare directed Dhumdhadaka. Pilgaonkar's film was a 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 young audiences to Marathi Cinema. Mahesh Kothare then went on to make comedy films which became major hits. He made the first Marathi film shot on the anamorphic format (Cinemascope) - Dhadakebaaz. He brought a number 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 the decline of Marathi cinema

While the theatre of Maharashtra earned recognition at the national level, the cinema failed to make a mark. A major reason was the proximity to the production centre of Hindi cinema (Bollywood) which encroached on the identity of Marathi cinema. Other reasons include the shortage of cinema halls for distribution due to poor marketing, lack of money magnets, a vibrant theatre scene and the emergence of private television. It also lacked the powerful lobby at the national level unlike Bengali and South Indian cinema because state congress (ruling party over 40 Years) encouraged Hindi Cinema for profit mainly ; the regional film industrial advantage being soaked up by Bollywood.^[6]

Revival of Marathi Cinema (Marathi New Wave)

In past few years, the Marathi cinema industry has produced many films that are not only critically acclaimed but commercially successful as well. It has brought fresh ideas, untouched subjects and deeper human sensitivity on the celluloid.

Acclaimed director Dr Jabbar Patel explains the reasons behind the change, “The kind of Marathi cinema that is being made today is very fresh and different. This is thanks to directors and writers getting exposed to world cinema via television, film festivals etc. They are coming up with new storylines and innovative concepts.”

Actor Mrunal Kulkarni remarks, “There is a lot of content and variety in Marathi films. A lot of bold subjects have been handled well by them. They carry a lot of substance.” But, she adds, “We need to start watching a lot more Marathi films. Until we see the films ourselves, we will never be able to appreciate them when they are sent to the Oscars.”

With outstanding contribution and efforts from different producers and directors of Mumbai Film Industry, Marathi cinema relatively outshined other Indian Film Industries such as Bollywood in the first quarter of 2010 in terms of box office collections and critical appreciation.^[7]

Contemporary

Marathi Cinema received critical acclaim in the year 2004 with the film Shwaas bagging the Golden Lotus National Award^[8]. It was also India's official entry to the 77th Academy Awards and it also won the President's medal for best film, beating Bollywood's prolific output with quality.^[9] Shwaas, after Shyamchi Aai (1950) is only Marathi film to win the President's Medal.

The Maharashtra state government has begun to issue grants to Marathi film (between 1.5-3.0 million rupees). After the success of "Shwaas", Indian media players like Shringar Films and Zee Telefilms are exhibiting a re-emerging interest in Marathi cinema. The growing popularity of Marathi television (notably Zee Marathi and ETV Marathi) has also helped to popularize older Marathi cinema and promote the genre. 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, "Saade Maade Teen", Valu - The Wild Bull, "SAAWALI", 'De Dhakka, Maati Maay, Kadachit, Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy/ मी शिवाजी राजे भोसले बोलतोय "SAAVARIYAA.COM", Samaantar, Rita, Restaurant, Nirop, Vihir, Vartul, Gabhiricha Paus, Harishchandrachi Factory, Natarang, Jogwa have received commercial and/or critical success. This decade has seen the emergence of stars like, Makrand Anaspure, Sunil Barve, Shreyas Talpade, Ankush Chaudhari, Sandeep Kulkarni, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Sonali Kulkarni, Amruta Subhash, Ashwini Bhave, Sanjay Narvekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bharat Jadhav. Film-makers like Kedar Shinde, Gautam Joglekar, Gajendra Ahire, Bipin Nadkarni, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ankush Chaudhari, Prashant Pethe, Sanjay Surkar, Chandrakant Kulkarni, Satish Manwar, Nishikant Kamath, Paresh Mokashi, Umesh Kulkarni, Mangesh Hadawale, Avdhoot Gupte, Nitin Nandan, Yogesh Dattatraya Gosavi, Sachin Kundalkar 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), Renuka Shahane (Rita).

In 2009, Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory, depicting the struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke in making Raja Harishchandra in 1913, India's first feature film, directed by theatre-veteran Paresh Mokashi was selected as India's official entry to Academy Award in the Best Foreign Language Film Category, making it the second Marathi film, after Shwaas, to receive this honour ^[10][11][12].

In the year 2009 released the blockbuster musical movie Natarang which got both commercial and critical applause and has served as a path-breaking movie for Marathi cinema in many ways.

In the year 2010 released Vihir (Umesh Kulkarni), Zenda (Avdhoot Gupte), Jhing Chik Jhing (Nitin Nandan), Pratisaad - The Response (Yogesh Dattatraya Gosavi), Mumbai - Pune - Mumbai (Satish Rajwade), Paaradh (Gajendra Ahire) had given different direction to marathi films.

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 Kothare (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

Main article: Maharashtra State Film Awards

Production Year	Best Film 1	Best Film 2	Best Film 3
1962	Prapanch (Madhukar Pathak)	Suvaasini (Raja Paranjpe)	Shaahir Parshuraam (Anant Mane)
1963	Ranglyaa Raatri Ashyaa (Raja Thakur)	Ha Maazaa Marg Ekla (Raja Paranjpe)	Phakir (Chandrashekhar)
1964	Chhotaa Jawaan, Paathlaag (Raja Gabale, Raja Paranjpye)	Pahu Re Kiti Vaat (Raja Thakur)	Thoraataanchi Kamalaa (Madhu Shinde)
1965	Vaawtal (Shantaram Aathavale)	Sawaal Maazaa Aikaa (Anant Mane)	Third award not given
1966	Saadhi Maanse (Bhalji Pendharkar)	Kelaa Ishara Jaataa Jaataa (Anant Mane)	Shewatchaa Maalusaraa (Vasant Joglekar)
1967	Santh Vaahate Krushnaamaai (Madhukar Pathak)	Kaakaa Malaa Waachwaa (Raja Paranjpe)	Swapna Tech Lochani (Chandrawadan)
1968	Gharchi Raani (Rajdatt)	Aamhi Jaato Aamuchyaa Gaawaa (Kamalakar Torne)	Ekti (Raja Thakur)
1969	Apraadh (Rajdatt)	Mukkaam Post Dhebewaadi (Madhukar Paathak)	Dharmkanyaa (Maadhav 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 Karuyaa Khullam Khullaa (Girish Ghanekar)	Gammat Jammat (Sachin)	Khatyaal Saasoo Naathaal Soon (N.S. Vaidya)
1987	Ashi Hi Banwaa Banwi (Sachin)	Nashibwaan (N.S. Vaidya)	Rangat Sangat (Girish Ghanekar)
1988	Kalat Nakalat (Kanchan Nayak)	Aatmavishwaas (Sachin)	Hamaal De Dhamaal (Purushottam Berde)
1989	Aaghat (Ramakant Kavthekar)	Ekaapekshaa Ek (Sachin)	Kooldeepak (N.S. Vaidya)
1990	Chaukat Raja (Sanjay Surkar)	Vedh (Pradip Berlekar)	Anapekshit (Sanjiv Naik)
1991	Ek Hotaa Vidushak (Dr. Jabbar Patel)	Aapli Maanasa (Sanjay Surkar)	Wajwaa Re Wajwaa (Girish Ghanekar)
1992	Vajir (Sanjay Rawal)	Sawat Maazi Laadki (Smita Talwalkar)	Lapandaaw (Shravani Devdhar)
1993	Muktaa (Dr. Jabbar Patel)	Waarsaa Lakshmichaa (Madhukar Pathak)	Maazaa Chhakulaa (Mahesh Kothare)
1994	Doghi (Sumitra Bhave)	Baangarwaadi (Amol Palekar)	Abolee (Amol Shedge)
1995	Raosaaheb (Sanjay Surkar)	Putrawati (Bhaskar Jadhav)	Sunaa Yeti Gharaa (A. Radhaswani)
1999	Gaabhaaraa (N.F.D)	Gharaabaaher (Suyog Chitra)	Bindhaast (Devyani Movies)

National Film Awards

Production Year	Best Feature Film in Marathi	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	deepak
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	Pinjra	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	Dombivli Fast	Nishikant Kamat
2006–2007	Shevri	Gajendra Ahire
2008	Nirop	Sachin Kundalkar
2009	Harishchandrachi Factory	Paresh Mokashi

the contribution of legendary actors Nilu Phule and Dr. Sriram Lagu play major role in marathi film industry.

Further reading

Maharashtra portal

• Marathi Cinema: in retrospect, by Sanjit Narwekar, Raghuvir Kul, D. B. Samant. Corporation. Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corp., 1995.
• All about Marathi Cinema, by Dana Rasmussen. 6 Degrees Books, 2010. ISBN 1171068247.

References

1. ^ "Films of Prabhat Film Company". http://www.prabhatfilm.com/films.htm. Retrieved 2007-06-12. 
2. ^ "Marathi cinema can surpass hindi cinema". Yahoo. http://in.news.yahoo.com/48/20100209/1251/ten-marathi-cinema-can-surpass-hindi-cin.html. Retrieved 2010-12-02. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ "History of Regional cinema". Cinemaofmalayalam. http://www.cinemaofmalayalam.net/his_indian_cinema2.html. Retrieved 2010-12-02. 
4. ^ "Baburoa Painter". Upperstall. http://www.upperstall.com/people/baburao-painter. Retrieved 2010-12-02. 
5. ^ Pate, Niel (28 September 2004). "Marathi cinema: Waiting to exhale". The Times Of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/866747.cms. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Rajadhyaksha, Mukta (29 August 2004). "Marathi cinema gets a shot in the arm". The Times Of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/831206.cms. 
7. ^ Marathi films beat Hindi movies at BO
8. ^ "National Film Awards, India: 2004". http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/National_Film_Awards_India/2004. Retrieved 2007-06-12. 
9. ^ "Shwaas is India's Official Entry to Oscars". http://www.rediff.com/movies/2004/sep/24shwas.htm. Retrieved 2007-06-12. 
10. ^ 'Harishchandrachi Factory' India's entry for Oscars Indian Express, PTI 20 September 2009.
11. ^ Harishchandrachi Factory to tell story behind making of India’s first feature film Indian Express, Express News Service, 03 May 2008.
12. ^ 'Harishchandrachi factory' India's entry for Oscars Press Trust of India, 20 September 2009.

See also

• List of Marathi films

External links

• Largest information repository on Marathi Film Industry
• All about new marathi movies
• Marathi Film and Movies
• Watch Marathi Movies Online
• Marathi Chitrapat
• A portal of Marathi Cinema
• Marathi Movies
• Stills From Marathi Movies
• Reviews and storyline of marathi movies
• a complete portal of marathi glamour industry
• Latest Marathi Movie Stils