In 1896, Lumiere brothers introduced cinema in India from Novelty Theater in Mumbai. While watching their films Dadasaheb Phalke had the Eureka moment that eventually led to the birth of Indian cinema.
Phalke gathered Marathi crew and created a film titled ‘Raja Harishchandra’. It was India’s first film. He later on keep producing films and stood on the bench mark of 90 films at that time. But unfortunately, Marathi films were soon overshadowed by Bollywood films.
Nonetheless, Marathi cinema has evolved over the years and has seen legendary artists like Dada Kondke, Laxmikant Berde, Nivedita Saraf, Varsha Usgaonkar, Alka Kubal, Ashwini Bhave, Ashok Saraf, Mahesh Kothare, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Prateeksha Lonkar, etc.
Marathi films are content-driven with a strong-will and has covered a vast & dynamic journey in industry. Some of the films are clique crowd favorites.
On the occasion of Marathi Language Day, we bring for you a list of 6 Marathi films that are a must watch:
Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi (1988)
The film was the remake of ‘Biwi Aur Makan’ with presence of stars like Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde, Sachin Pilgaonkar and Mahesh Kothare. Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi film portrays comedy on it’s peek as Saraf played as a salesman who convince his friends to play the wives of him and his brother to get an apartment on rent, as getting an apartment for bachelors is a big deal. The twist in the tail comes when two ladies enter their lives. There was a Bollywood remake of the same movie which was Paying Guest (2009), staring Javed Jaffrey and Shreyas Talpade.
Shwaas (2004)
The film depict a strong relation between a grandson and a grandfather where the 6-year-old named Parshya, suffers from a rare eye-cancer and how his grandfather deals with the situation. That film can be considered as the beginning of the ‘Epitome of Marathi Cinema’. Though the film deals with a very sensitive issue where there is something hopeful about it – may be grandpa’s effort to ensure his grandson enjoys everything before his eyesight is gone permanently or the positive attitude of doctors and nurses or the last scene when Parshya returns to his home.
Jogwa (2009)
The film deals with one of the India’s sensitive topics of ‘Devdasi’ – the ancient tradition of India where people are supposed to give up their whole lives and desires to a lord of lords. The story revolves around the lives of a girl and a boy where girl named as ‘Suli’ who is forced to become a jogti and ‘Tayappa’ a man who is forced to follow the customs by wearing a saree. Their love and the coercion they face makes a beautiful tale. To add to it is the music of Ajay-Atul and the melodious voice of Hariharan and Shreya Ghoshal.
Harishchandrachi Factory (2009)
Harishchandrachi Factory is the documentary drama of Dadasaheb Phalke’s journey of creating India’s first moving picture which was establishment of the Indian film industry. The film beautifully unfolds Dadasaheb’s efforts of making a film and creating females out of males by dressing a male as a female.
Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy (2009)
Is shows the story of protagonist Dinkar Maruti Bhosale, who faces identity crisis in his own community state and feels there’s no Maharashtra left in Mumbai any more, which is now occupied by non-Maharashtrians. He is later confronted by the spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and hence the name.
Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (2015)
The film ‘Katyar Kaljat Ghusali’ is an adaption of a play of the same name and centers around a prestigious dagger of the kingdom which is, after winning a poetic competition, bestowed upon the greatest poet of the kingdom. The film is a journey of a musical duel between two poets of different gharanas and how the lust for the dagger, greed, and politics make their way into the story. The melodious extravaganza and star-studded ensemble make the film a must watch.
Natsamrat (2016)
Ganpat Ramchandra Belwalkar, also known as the ‘Natsamrat’, retires from the drama industry but cannot leave the theatre behind. In movie there comes a time after his retirement, when his family members feel embarrassed by him because of his spontaneous behavior. After he is deserted by children, he along with his wife goes on a self an-nihilistic journey. The film is a one-man show and Nana’s character carries the entire film on his shoulders and leaves audiences in a pool of emotions.
