'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' to 'Zapatlela': Evergreen Marathi comedies to watch when you are under lockdown

The outbreak of coronavirus has kept the entire nation in lockdown with people not stepping out of their homes and most industries closed down or allowing Work From Home. The quarantine time has presented a good opportunity to people to spend quality time with their loved ones, and many are indulging in indoor activities from reading books, cooking, to watching films.

In such times, we bring to you evergreen Marathi comedy films from 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' 'to 'Takatak' to watch when you are under lockdown.

Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi'

'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' is a 1989 comedy Marathi film directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar and released in India on 23rd September 1988. The movie is a remake of the 1966 Hindi film 'Biwi Aur Makan' directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Four friends are searching for a rented accommodation. The landlady insists only on married couples, so two of the friends are forced to dress as women and pretend to be wives of the other two. Laxmikant Berde and Sachin perform the drag queen comedy-drama to the fullest. Their presence along with Ashok Saraf, Sushant Ray, Nivedita Saraf, Ashwini Bhave and Priya Arun is just priceless.

'Eka Peksha Ek'

'Eka Peksha Ek' is a 1990 action, comedy, mystery Marathi film directed by Sachin Pilgaonkar. It starred Pilgaonkar, Ashok Saraf, Laxmikant Berde and Archana Joglekar. The movie is adapted from Arthur Hiller's 1989 American comedy film 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil'. Two friends, one deaf (Laxmikant) and the other blind (Sachin) are arrested for a murder they didn't commit. Despite their physical disabilities, whether the two will be able to prove their innocence is what forms the crux of the story. This film made people laugh their guts out and was a chartbuster back then.

'Zapatlela'

'Zapatlela' is a Marathi horror comedy movie, which released in 1993. It is directed by Mahesh Kothare. The film starred the renowned ventriloquist Ramdas Padhye along with his famous evil puppet Tatya Bichu. Laxmikant Berde played Laxmikant Bolke and Mahesh Kothare essayed the role of CID inspector Mahesh Jadhav and Dilip Prabhavalkar as 'Tatya Vinchu'. Tatya Vinchu, a gangster, gets hold of a mantra to transfer his soul into any living or nonliving thing. He dies and transfers his soul into a doll while killing everyone who interrupts him. In terms of technicalities, the film does score high marks. This horror-comedy became a blockbuster because of Laxmikant Berde's commendable acting and it was most loved by kids.


'Navra Mazha Navsacha'

'Navra Mazha Navsacha' is a 2004 Marathi film. The film stars Sachin Pilgaonkar and Supriya Pilgaonkar in leading roles. The movie portrays the journey of the couple from Mumbai to Ganapati Pule to fulfill a vow. Directed by Pilgaonkar himself, the film, being a slapstick comedy, garnered a lot of praise from audiences as the performances in the movie captivated their interest. 'Navra Mazha Navsacha' was a great success at the box-office.

'Girlz'

After directing films titled Boyz (2017) and Boyz 2 (2018), filmmaker Vishal Devrukhkar brought us, quite naturally, 'Girlz''. This comedy-drama is an adult saga about three young women (played by Ankita Lande, Ketki Narayan and Anvita Phaltankar) having a wild time in Goa. Indeed, the film succeeds in bridging the generation gap between traditional or semi-traditional parents and their modern daughters who belong to the 21st century.