MARATHI CINEMA

MARATHI CINEMA GROWING DAY BY DAY

In past few years, the Marathi cinema industry has produced many films that are not only critically acclaimed but commercially successful as well. It has brought fresh ideas, untouched subjects and deeper human sensitivity on the celluloid. The kind of Marathi cinema that is being made today is very fresh and different. Thanks to directors and writers getting exposed to world cinema via television, film festivals etc.They are coming up with new story lines and innovative concepts .There is a lot of content and variety in Marathi films. A lot of bold subjects have been handled well.Outstanding  contribution and efforts from different producers and directors of Mumbai Film Industry, Marathi cinema relatively out shine other Indian Film Industries such as Bollywood in the first quarter of 2010 in terms of box office collections and critical appreciation. The Marathi film industry grow in terms of the return on investments as well as critical appreciation of multiple films.While the regional film industry has been flourishing, it is interesting to see how big production houses, which have been investing in Bollywood films, seem to have taken an interest in Marathi films too.Marathi Cinema received critical acclaim in the year 2004 with the film Shwaas bagging the Golden Lotus National Award. It was also India's official entry to the 77th Academy Awards and it also won the President's medal for best film, beating Bollywood's prolific output with quality. Shwaas, after Shyamchi Aai (1950) is only Marathi film to win the President's Medal. 

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 and ETV Marathi) has also helped to popularize older Marathi cinema and promote the genre.Zee Talkies, a 24 hour channel dedicated to Marathi movie has been introduced. In 2009, Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory, 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.Marathi film, after Shwaas,to receive this honour. Earlier they were less films produce and released now there are numbers of films release in a month

FilmslikeVentilator,Sairat,Kaasav:Turtle,Natarang and many other films has won the award and has reach to the top level today.

EEros,Viacom18 and Zee have already produced Marathi films and are looking forward to making many more in the near future. But,is it a good sign that corporate houses are entering the film industry or will it limit the current players from continuing to do the good work they been doing.Independent producers believe that big production houses will ensure that they create monopoly in the industry,and that might lead to losses for them.The basic reason for the success of Marathi cinema is because we are presenting quality subjects to the audience.Interestingly,the non-Maharashtrian audience is also taking interest in the regional industry."Natasamrat"has been successful because people who do not really follow Marathi films or non-Maharashtrian also watched the film in theatres.One of the important reasons why the Marathi film Industry has grown in the past few years is because filmmakers have correctly budgeted their projects.One should take the benefit of collaborating with the companies.This will not only help the film get a good platform,but also encourage the growth of the industry,produce films,it will get more screen space and shows because exhibitors also know this industry's films are doing well.It is a good thing for the industry,The Marathi industry has grown leaps and bounds over the past couple of years and the audiences are accepting new content,thus filmmakers and studios are ready to take the risk with fresh content.The line-up that has been announced has varied subjects directed by some of the best talents.