The Marathi Imprint

m4m explores why Marathi films are enjoying repeated success in the National Awards

Apoorva Tapas

Amruta Subhash in Astu

Marathi cinema continues to prove its mettle at the National Film Awards this year as well. At the 61^st edition of the National Film Awards declared on April 16, regional cinema and independent films dominated the scene with Marathi films winning 9 awards. So what is about this cinema that makes the jury sit up and take notice every year?

“There is a lot of curiosity about Marathi cinema. Be it the fresh perspectives or fascinating subjects,” explains Ganesh Matkari, renowned film critic. Emphasizing on new things happening in the industry, he says, “Within the last few years, an influx of new passionate filmmakers has taken Marathi cinema to a new level. They all come in with new perspectives and a strong desire to tell good stories.”

Marathi films such as Fandry, Astu,Yellow and Tuhya Dharma Koncha have won awards across the board for direction, acting, playback singing and dialogues. All the four films tell different stories and touch upon different cinematic genres.

Renowned cinematographer Mahesh Limaye whose directorial debut film Yellow won three awards says, “Despite smaller budgets compared to mainstream Hindi films, Marathi cinema thrives because of its quality of storytelling.” His film is about the triumphant journey of a girl with Down’s syndrome. The protagonist was played by the real inspiration for the story, Gauri Gadgil (champion swimmer at the Special Olympics). She was honored with a special mention along with her co-actor Sanjana Rai who plays her younger self. The film won the Special Jury Award. 

Lately, substantial stories are coming into the fray with strong commercial support. “Producers are backing really good films now,” says actor Vibhawari Deshpande, who plays the lead role in Tuhya Dharma Koncha that won two national awards. She further adds, “From the time of Prabhat Studios, Marathi films have always delivered quality. Veterans like Jabbar Patel, Smita Talwalkar and Sumitra Bhave have solidified the quality of Marathi films and ensured that our cinema is taken seriously.” Bhave has won the award for Best Dialogues for Astu this year.

Overjoyed with her award for Best Supporting Actor (female) for Astu, Amruta Subhash says, “Shwaas breathed a new life into Marathi cinema.”

Ever since then, contemporary directors like Umesh Kulkarni, with his films Deool and Girni are paving way for a new generation. Nagraj Manjule, who made the highly acclaimed film Fandry, has won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director. With a wave of new and upcoming directors bringing in their ethos of quality content and excellent cinematic craft, Marathi cinema promises to deliver at all levels.

Awards List:

Indira Gandhi Award- Best First Film of a Director - Fandry

Best Film of Other Social Issues - Tuhya Dharma Koncha

Best Supporting Actor (Female) - Amruta Subhash - Astu

Best Child Artist - Somnath Avgadhe - Fandry

Best Female Playback Singer - Bela Shende - Tuhya Dharma Koncha

Best Screenplay (Dialogues) - Sumitra Bhave - Astu

Special Jury Award - Yellow 

Special Mention - Gauri Gadgil and Sanjana Rai - Yellow 

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