Marathi film festival to begin today

by SACHIN CHATTE 
Posted on 2009-06-05
PANAJI- The 2nd Goa Marathi Film Festival will kick start on Friday at the hands of renowned actor Nana Patekar.
After the overwhelming response received last year, the festival is all set to get bigger this time as the screenings will be held in the two auditoriums of Maquinez Palace and also at the Kala Academy.
A host of cine-personalities will interact with the audiences including Amol Palekar, Sonali Kulkarni, Nina Kulkarni, Sayaji Shinde, Makarand Anaspure, Milind Soman, Paresh Mokashi, Sanjay Pethe, Seema Biswas and Jabbar Patel. Here are some of the films to look forward to at the fest:
Harishchandrachi Factory – directed by debutante Paresh Mokashi, this film tells us the story of how the legendary Dada Saheb Phalke made the first Indian film, Raja Harishchandra.
Most of the films about film makers and film making have always turned out to be fascinating ones and with the best film and best director award at the 49th Maharashtra state film festival, this film should be a must watch for cinema lovers. 
Gabricha Paus (The damned rain) – directed by Satish Manwar, Gabricha Paus deals with the subject of farmer suicides in Maharashtra.
Screened at several festivals not only in India but around the world too, the story of a family who thinks that the bread winner is contemplating suicide because he can’t make ends meet is a very touching social issue and the film talks about the human spirit and fighting against all odds. 
Shevari – produced by well known actress Neena Kulkarni, who also acts in the film and directed by Gajendra Ahire Shevari is the story about a woman who is coming to terms with life. This woman-centric film was the winner of the 54th National Award for Best Marathi Film and also stars Dilip Prabhavalkar. 
Dhyasparva – directed by Amol Palekar and written by Chitra Palekar although the film was made in 2001, it still remains one of the director’s best films till date. Starring Seema Biswas, this period film tells us the story of Raghunath Karve a well known social reformist from Maharashtra and has won critical acclaim. 
Gandha – directed by Sachin Kundalkar, Gandha is a rather unique film that uses smell as a common link three different stories. Starring Milind Soman, Sonali Kulkarni, Amruta Subhash and Girish Kulkarni, the film has been very well received by audiences for being different. 
Gosht Chotishi Dongara Yevadhi –The closing film at the festival, this is going to be the first screening ever of this movie directed by Nagesh Bhonsle who recently made Gallit Gondhal Dellit Mujra which was a comedy.
This one though is a serious film about a farmer crushed with the burden of debt. The film stars Makrand Anaspure, the new superstar of Marathi cinema along with Sayaji Shinde. 
Apart from the above mentioned films, Goan productions like Sawaariya.com, Mare Paryant Fashi and Marmabandh will also be screened. A special screening of the Jabbar Patel classic Sinhasan will also be held. All in all, there is quite a treat in
store for film lovers.