Marathi biopics you must watch

Biopics and films based on true stories seem to have captured the imagination of Bollywood filmmakers. Turns out, that in the past years, biopics are serving as a success formula even in the Marathi film industry. Freedom fighters, political leaders, sports person and many other influential people were immortalised on film when their biopics hit the big screen. Let's have a quick look at some Marathi biopics you must watch at least once.

'Lokmanya – Ek YugPurush' was another masterstroke by Subodh Bhave, who played Lokmany Tilak in the movie. Go back in time with this biopic and watch history being replayed in front of you. The storytelling approach and the director's fiery portrayal of Tilak along with his struggles and achievements in the pre-independence era will leave you with a sense of awe. Bhave was lauded for nailing his act with such finesse. This film that magnificently shown Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak's journey from his boyhood to a freedom fighter, went on to become a big success at the box office.

'Bal Gandharva' marked yet another brilliant performance by Subodh Bhave. The biopic chronicles the journey of Narayan Sripad Rajhans aka Bal Gandharva, who impersonated women in musical plays. Famously known for his outstanding singing skills, he won praises for performing as a woman in Natya-sangeet. Apart from showing his life under the spotlight, the film also gave us a look at his tragic personal story. Subodh Bhave nailed his act as a woman so well that many found it hard to believe that it was a man in a woman's getup. That paired with great direction and cinematography, makes this film must a watch.

'Dr. Prakash Baba Amte', is a well-framed biopic on the life story of Dr Prakash Amte. The cherry on the cake was the brilliant performances by Nana Patekar and Sonali Kulkarni. The film pictures the struggles of the good doctor and his wife in the upliftment of the tribals and dealing with naxalites and government officers. It also shed light on how he carried out surgeries in emergency cases. This heroic tale is well picturized by the director and is worth a watch.

'Harishchandrachi factory' is a biopic on the great Dadasaheb Phalke, a middle-class man who initiated filmmaking in India. He was the first to establish a film industry and hence is referred to as the father of Indian cinema. This was the first time that director Paresh Mokashi pictured the early 1900 era and flawlessly depicted Phalke's struggle. The story ends with the projection of the very first film, 'Raja Harishchandra'. Nandu Madhav has played his role of Phalke tact and finesse. This biopic was loved all over Maharashtra and was India's official entry to the Academy Awards.

'Ekk Albela', the biopic directed by Shekhar Sartandel, is a story of the legendary actor Bhagwan Abaji Palav known as Bhagwan Dada. Manges Desai did complete justice to his role as Bhagwan Dada, the man who launched the dance step, every one of us has tried at least once. The movie traces his childhood, his struggle to get into cinema, leaving his family behind and winning over millions of hearts with his talent. The director successfully showed the different facets of the legendary actor's life, and his film went on to win critical acclaim.