Pune: India’s leading private radio and entertainment network, Red FM successfully concluded Season 5 of the 3 Day Superhits Marathi Film Festival at NFAI Law College Road, Lokshaheer Annabhau Sathe Sabhagruha, and Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha from 8th – 10th March 2024.
The inauguration ceremony at Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, Kothrud on Friday 8th March was graced by Ex MLA Shri. Jagdish Mulik, President Akhil Bhartiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, Shri. Meghraj Raje Bhosale, and Vice president – BJP Films & Drama, Ms Henal Mehta, representing Shri. Sudhir Mungantiwar, Minister of State for Cultural Affairs.
Legendary actor Dr Mohan Agashe was felicitated at the Marathi Film Festival with a Lifetime Achievement Award for contributing to Indian cinema. Several National Award winners were also honoured for their contributions to the industry. For instance, the receiver of the National Award for the best short film ‘Rekha’ fame – Shekhar Bapu Rankhambe. Along with him, Pratima Joshi of the National Award for Best Family Value Film, Dr Saleel Kulkarni, National Award for Best Film – Ekda Kaay Zala, and Nikhil Mahajan, the receiver of the Best Director National Award were also felicitated. Moreover, Sonalee Kulkarni, the receiver of the Acko Change Maker Award, Guru Thakur for the Viral Song of the Year – Baharla ha Madhumas Nava, and Vikram Gaikwad for Makeup Maestro Award were appreciated on the Marathi Film Festival stage. A special award for the short film competition was presented to the director of ‘Bhagwan’ – Trushant Ingle.
With a theme of ‘Charcha Tar Honarçh’ (Going Gaga over It), the event showcased 26 films, including 13 feature films, 10 short films, and 3 premieres.
Jayant Somalkar’s Sthal, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and won the NETPAC award, was the opening film for the event on the 8th of March. The next two days saw the screening of popular films like Baipan Bhari Deva, Jhimma 2, Ekda Kay Zhala, and Panchak along with acclaimed films like Sarvanik Kaur’s documentary Against the Tide, and Zende on Madhukar Zhende the renowned cop who arrested Charles Shobhraj in the presence of cast and crew members from these films. Aankhi Ek Mohenjo Daro, directed by national award-winning film critic Ashok Rane, started its journey with a world premiere at the festival, along with Kurla Te Vengurla and Dharmasya.
A special screening of Dhadakebaaz at NFAI enthralled all on the last day. The renowned director Mahesh Kothare and two of its cast members Deepak Shirke and Prajakta Dighe brought some nostalgic moments.
