by NR INDRAN / INT

In 2009, the NCPA recognised the need to give a platform to the “renaissance” in Marathi cinema: new narratives that capture the reality of drastic transformations occurring around India — rural and urban — through creative content, distinctive cinematic style and fresh talent.  What followed were three superhit annual editions of Nave Valan Marathi Film Festival presented by India’s premiere art and culture institution — the National Centre for the Performing Arts. This year, we return with Nave Valan 2012, from 7th-11th October, 2011, at Little Theatre, NCPA, featuring six spectacular films and NCPA Chauraha after every film.

The renaissance period for Marathi cinema began around 2004 as it broke free of the rustic comedy mould and embraced new thought-provoking themes. That was the year Shwaas became India’s official entry for the Oscars. Marathi films took a new course since then and in 2009, the NCPA deemed it fit to initiate Nave Valan, a festival dedicated to new wave Marathi cinema.

The resurgence that began with films like Harishchandrachi Factory, Valu, Tingya, Gabhricha

Paus, Gandh, Natrang, Jogwa and many others, continues with award winners like Baboo Band Baaja, Champions, Taryanche Bait, Shaala (all screened at Nave Valan 2011), Deool, Kaksparsh and Masala. “That Nave Valan in its fourth edition is still spoilt for choice, proves that Marathi cinema has not lost its creativity and courage,” explains Deepa Gahlot, Head — Programming (Theatre & Film), NCPA.

The films are hand-picked for the festival on the basis of their critical acclaim, state and national awards won by them and recommendations by the cognoscenti. “A blockbuster film like Kaksparsh and a relatively lesser known film about the life of a crematorium worker’s son, Dhaag this year must reach out to non-Maharashtrians so that they also get to enjoy such varied fare with English sub-titles,” adds Gahlot.

The burning heat of crematorium

The festival kicks off on Oct 7, 2012 with Shivaji Patil’s Dhaag. “I attended the last rites of a neighbour and was struck by the behavior of children who lived at the crematorium, they were so nonchalant about death. That triggered off this film, Dhaag (Burning Heat),” elaborates Patil.  The film was shot entirely at his native village Mandorane in Chaalisgaon district. Apart from teenaged Hansraj Jagtap, a local boy from Beed, who plays the central role of the ostracised son of the crematorium worker, the film has National Award winner Upendra Limaye essaying the role of the father. “It is the story of the boy’s struggle to get educated and enter the mainstream of life,” explains Patil.  Dhaag premiered at the recently held Goa Film Festival.

‘At my place please!’

Gajrachi Pungi, a film within a film about a film unit’s visit to a village for shooting turns out to be a hilarious situational comedy.  As director Tanaji Ghadge recalls, “We chose to shoot at Bhose village in Sangli district as it had the narrow alleys and rustic wadas (bungalows) required by the script. The locals were over enthusiastic about our shoot, one man insisted that we shoot the rape scene at his dilapidated house and after we agreed, he hung a framed picture of his late father in the backdrop of the rape scene! His tribute to his father, he said,” relates Ghadge.  But on a serious

note, the film addresses the status of working women in society, especially actresses. “People, especially in small towns, tend to look down upon them, the film takes up for them,” explains Ghadge. Starring Vinay Apte, Prasad Oak, Saee Tamhankar and Subodh Bhave, the film garnered a great response from women at the Goa Film Festival.

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