Director Nagraj Manjule's best Marathi films

Nagraj Manjule, the famous director and screenwriter of the Marathi film industry, set a new trend with the kind of movies he has brought to us over the years. The director whose film has crossed the 100-crore mark has also bagged many national and international awards for the subjects he highlights in his movies. Here are some masterpieces by the director you should watch.

Nagraj Manjule’s 'Sairat' is a wonderful love story between a rich high caste girl and a lower caste boy. The difficulties and obstacles the couple has to go through to be together in this inter-caste relationship, and the deep-rooted stigmas attached to their union are highlighted well in this film. The film throws light on the issue of honour killing which is still a harsh reality in India. The film stars Akash Thosar and Rinku Rajguru in the lead roles.

The film reportedly collected Rs 82.95 crore in Maharashtra in six weeks and Rs110 crore at the worldwide box office. It remains to be one of the highest grossing films in the Marathi industry. It also bagged many national and international awards and was selected for the 66th Berlin International Film Festival.

'Fandry' is another super hit film written and directed by Nagraj Manjule. The movie featured Somnath Avghade and Rajeshwari Kharat in prominent roles. The story follows the hardships faced by the lower caste Dalit families. It tells the story of a teenager who falls in love with an upper caste girl, and the setbacks he has to face in his village. The story went on to earn critical acclaim and even won the Grand Jury Prize at the Mumbai International Film Festival. Director Manjule won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director at 61st National Film Awards.

'Pistulya', another wonderful piece of work by Nagraj Manjule won 6 top honours including the National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film by a Director, National Film Award – Special Jury Award. It featured Vithal Bulbule, Prashant Kamble, Vaishali Kendale and others, in a story of a poor villager from a Dalit family who wants to get educated. His hardships, mental agony and his determination to pursue his education form the crux of the story. It can be said that this is a semi-biographical film as it was inspired by Nagraj's life. This movie bagged a National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director.

Another one of Nagraj Manjule's masterpieces is this short film of a kid and his essay on the rains and its gifts. 'Pavsacha Nibandha'is a wonderful story on how the rain threatens the routine of the poor family. It follows the struggle of the kid's mother to bring back her drunk husband home. Manjule's attention to detail and cinematography make this film a visual treat. This movie too won the director a National Film Award.