Marathi cinema

Marathi cinema refers to Indian films produced in Marathi, the language of the state of Maharashtra, India. Based in old Mumbai, it is the oldest and one of the pioneer film industries of India. The first Marathi film to be released in India was Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne on 18 May 1912 at Coronation Cinematograph, Mumbai.[4][5] and a Marathi crew who were performing Marathi and Sanskrit Sangeet natikas (musicals) and plays in Marathi at that period. The first Marathi talkie film, Ayodhyecha Raja,[6] was released in 1932, just one year after Alam Ara the first Hindi talkie. Although the industry is much smaller than the large market driven Hindi cinema based in Mumbai, Marathi cinema is tax free, and is experiencing growth in recent years. Raja Harishchandra, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, was a Marathi film, now known as India's first full-length feature, released in 1913. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of Maharashtra for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.

Not to be confused with Bollywood.

Marathi Cinema
Metro Big Cinemas in Mumbai
No. of screens	Approx 500 in Maharashtra state of India.[1]
Produced feature films (2016)[2]
Total	181
Gross box office (2016)[3]
National films	India: ₹2,000 crore (US$280 million)

History

Silent movies period

Advertisement in the Times of India of 25 May 1912 announcing the screening of the first feature film of India, Pundalik, by Dadasaheb Torne

Raja Harishchandra

Marathi cinema is the oldest form of Indian cinema. The first Marathi movie released in India was Shree Pundalik by Dadasaheb Torne on 18 May 1912 at Coronation Cinematograph, Mumbai.[4]

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 and NIFD as part of Marathi cinema as it used Marathi dialogues while shooting and had a fully Marathi crew.[7] 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 specialized in the historical genre.[8] 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.[9]

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 work to win the Best Film Award at the Venice film festival in 1937.[10] 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. It was directed by Acharya P K Atre, and it was an adaptation of the eponymous novel by Sane Guruji.[11]

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, Jyotiram, sonal and mumtaz, Dinkar D Patil, G. D. Madgulkar, Sudhir Phadke , Raja Thakur . The 1960s 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 that included sexual innuendo. He 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.[12]

1980s

In 1980s directors Mahesh Kothare(left) and Sachin Pilgaonkar(right) emerged as successful directors by directing mainly comedy genre films.

The 1980s 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 became a mega hit at the box-office, became a trend-setter, and brought young audiences to Marathi cinema. Mahesh Kothare went on to make comedy films that became major hits. He made the first Marathi film shot on the anamorphic format (Cinemascope) — Dhadakebaaz.

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 South Indian cinema because the state encouraged Hindi cinema for profit mainly; the regional film industrial advantage being soaked up by Bollywood.[11]

Revival: 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.

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."

With outstanding contribution and efforts from different producers and directors of the Mumbai film industry, Marathi cinema relatively outshined other Indian film industries such as Bollywood in the first quarter of 2010 in box office collections and critical appreciation.[13]

Actor-director Mahesh Kothare brought a number of innovations in the technical quality of Marathi films and was the first to bring Dolby Digital sound to Marathi cinema with Chimni Pakhara in 2003. He made the first Marathi film with Digital Special Effects, Pachadlela, in 2004. He also made first Marathi movie in 3D Zapatlela 2, in 2013.

Contemporary

Marathi cinema received critical acclaim in 2004 with the film Shwaas winning the Golden Lotus National Award. It was India's official entry to the 77th Academy Awards. It won the President's medal for best film, beating Bollywood's prolific output with quality.[14] Shwaas was the second Marathi film to win the President's Medal after Shyamchi Aai (1950).

The Maharashtra state government has begun to issue grants to Marathi film (between 1.5 million and 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, ETV Marathi, Mi Marathi, Star Pravah, Saam TV) has helped to popularize older Marathi cinema and promote the genre. Zee Talkies, a 24-hour channel dedicated to Marathi movies, has been introduced.

In 2009, Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory (with a budget of Rs. 6 crore), 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.[15][16][17]

2009 saw the blockbuster musical movie Natarang, which both commercial and critical applause and has served as a path-breaking movie for Marathi cinema.

Since the new decade beginning in 2010, several contemporary Marathi artistic films released including Umesh Vinayak Kulkarni's Vihir and Deool, and Nagraj Manjule's Fandry. They have given a new direction to Marathi films.

Deool became the third movie after Shyaamchi Aai and Shwaas to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film

Sairat (2016) musical romantic drama starring Rinku Rajguru and Akash Thosar, directed by Nagraj Manjule and produced by Nagraj Manjule, Nitin Keni, and Nikhil Sane emerged as the biggest weekend opener for a Marathi film breaking record previously held by Natsamrat. Sairat was the first Marathi film to cross ₹50 crore (US$7.8 million) mark. The film has become the first Marathi film to gross over ₹100 crore (US$16 million) worldwide. Also it ran for more than 100 days in many centres of Maharashtra.

Awards

Filmfare Awards

Production Year	Film	Director	Actor	Actress	Music
1943	Chhattrapati Shivaji		Suryakant
1947	Ganimi Kawa		Suryakant
1951	Swarajyacha Shiledar		Suryakant
1956	Pavan Khind		Suryakant
1959	Sangte Aika		Suryakant
1965	Sadhi Mansa		Suryakant
1966	Malhari Martand		Suryakant
1963	Maza Hoshil Ka	L.B.Thakur
1964	Sant Nivrutti dnyandev	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	Ramesh Deo
1971	Shantata! Court Chaloo Ahe	Satyadev Dubey & Govind Nihalani
1972	Kunku Mazhe Bhagyache	Pradeep eknath nehete
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)	Laxmikant Berde	Supriya Sabnis (Navri Mile Navryala)
1985 op	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 Surkar (Tu Tithe Mee)	Mohan Joshi (Tu Tithe Mee)	Suhas Joshi (Tu Tithe Mee)	Anand Modak (Tu Tithe Mee)
1999	Bindhaast	Chandrakant Kulkarni (Bindhaast)	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 (Ram Gabale, Raja Paranjpye)	Pahu Re Kiti Vaat (Raja Thakur)	Thoraataanchi Kamalaa (Madhu Shinde)
1965	Vaawtal (Shantaram Aathavale)	Sawaal Majha Aika! (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--)

Nowadays, Marathi movies have been listed at many International Film Festival and All lights Film Services, which provides a platform for such movies and the film makers to know big in the world film industry. All Lights Film Services[18] provided platform for various famous Marathi Films such as PINKY – Ek Sathyakatha, Kapus Kondyachi Goshta,Hou De Jarasa Ushir, Sopanchi Aye Bahina Bhai,Touring Talkies,Langar to almost all leading International Festivals across the world including Oscar.

Highest Grossing Marathi Films

Movie	Year	Studio(s)	Worldwide Gross	ref(s)
Sairat	2016	Aatpat Production, Essel Vision Productions	₹110 crore (US$15 million)	[19]
Natsamrat	2016		₹50 crore (US$7.0 million)
Lai Bhaari	2014	Mumbai Film Company	₹41 crore (US$5.7 million)
Timepass 2 l/ll	2015	Essel Vision Productions	₹28 crore (US$3.9 million)	[20]
Timepass	2014	Zee Talkies	₹33 crore (US$4.6 million)	[21]
Duniyadari	2013	Dreaming 24/7 Productions	₹28 crore (US$3.9 million)
Katyar Kaljat Ghusali	2015		₹40 crore (US$5.6 million)
Naal	2018	Zee Studios	₹31.3 crore (US$4.4 million)
Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy	2009	Everest Entertainment	₹25.5 crore (US$3.6 million)	[22]
Mumbai Pune Mumbai 2	2015		₹18 crore (US$2.5 million)	[23]
Deool Band	2015		₹20 crore (US$2.8 million)
Faster Fene	2017		₹27 crore (US$3.8 million)
Daagdi Chaawl	2015		₹20 crore (US$2.8 million)
Kaksparsh	2012	Zee Talkies	₹14 crore (US$2.0 million)	[24]
Dr. Prakash Baba Amte - The Real Hero	2014	Essel Vision Productions	₹12 crore (US$1.7 million)	[25]
Natarang	2010	Zee Talkies	₹12 crore (US$1.7 million)	[26]
Balak-Palak	2013	Mumbai Film Company	₹12 crore (US$1.7 million)	[27]

National Film Awards

Main article: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi

Further reading

• Marathi Cinema: In Retrospect, by Sanjit Narwekar. Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corp., 1995.

See also

• List of Marathi films
• List of Marathi cinema actresses

• India portal

References

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2. http://www.filmfed.org/IFF2016.html
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4. Kadam, Kumar (24 April 2012). "दादासाहेब तोरणेंचे विस्मरण नको!". Archived from the original on 8 October 2013.
5. Raghavendara, MK (5 May 2012). "What a journey".
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15. 'Harishchandrachi Factory' India's entry for Oscars Indian Express, PTI 20 September 2009.
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17. 'Harishchandrachi factory' India's entry for Oscars Press Trust of India, 20 September 2009.
18. "'Go Global' with All Lights Film Services". indiantelevision.org.in. 18 December 2013.
19. "'Sairat' box office collections: At mammoth Rs 125.00 crore, movie creates 'history". financialexpress.com. Times News Network. 11 May 2016. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
20. "Priya thanked her audience - The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Times News Network. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
21. Deshmukh, Gayatri (31 July 2014). "After Duniyadari, will Lai Bhaari break Timepass' record?". The Times of India.
22. "Why Bollywood is jumping on the Marathi cinema bandwagon". mid-day. 25 August 2014.
23. http://www.lokmat.com/storypage.php?catid=247&newsid=11304252
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