Marathi films adapting patriotic title!

Does patriotism sell? With a number of Marathi films adapting patriotic titles, NT explores if they actually make an impact
Marathi films seem to be riding high on a patriotic tag. It started with Amit Abhyankar���������s Jana Gana Mana, followed by Ha Bharat Mazha, a Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar production. And now after the release of Gautam Joglekar directed Jai Jai Maharashtra Mazha, Avdhoot Gupte���������s Jai Maharshtra Dhaba Bhatinda is in the offing.
So how does this affect the film? Does it create an impact with the audience? Gautam Joglekar of Jai Jai Maharshtra Mazha says, ���������I don���������t want to name the film, but few years ago a Hindi movie had depicted India in a very poor light. It hurt a lot of Indian sentiments including mine. So I had decided to make a film that shows the positive and best side of our country.��������� Director Amit Abhyankar says, ���������Jana Gana Mana literally means we the people, and my film is all about people. Though initially it comes across as a light comedy exploring the student-teacher relationship in a rural backdrop, it is strongly laced with a message about the corrupt education system.���������
Avdhoot Gupte���������s Jai Maharashtra Dhaba Bhatinda was given the title as the protagonist of the film, who hails from Maharashtra opens a dhaba in Bhatinda, informs actor Abhijeet Khandkekar who plays the protagonist.
But while some of these patriotic titles complement the plot of the movies, some hardly have much connect with love for the country. Joglekar admits that there has been certain confusion in the viewer���������s minds surrounding the title of his film. ���������Because of the use of the word ���������Maharashtra��������� in the title, people have been asking me if my film is based on patriotism. I thought the title was apt as the protagonist of my film Anusha Dandekar is shown to be born in Maharashtra and later she gets introduced to the beauty of our country. That���������s the only connect.��������� Khandkekar adds, ���������People get confused and feel my film is a comedy after hearing its name.���������
Although directors maintain that their films have a patriotic connect, one cannot deny that using a sensitive title at times also helps arouse additional interest or curiosity. Actor Adinath Kothare says, ���������Jo bikta hai wohi tikta hai. If you���������re walking on the road, you would give a second look to a girl only if she is good looking. Likewise, an attractive title especially if it is related to people���������s sentiments is sure to pull more crowds. Although the sun is shining for Marathi cinema directors do try various methods to woo the crowd.��������� Actor Tejaswini Lonari blunty puts it, ���������Directors and producers have the liberty to use any title and sometimes they do take disadvantage of this. I have experienced this while hearing scripts. Sometimes the tentative titles given to the scripts seem complete misfits to the storylines. I agree that the title should be interesting, quirky and entertaining, but it definitely should not be misleading.���������
Abhyankar nods in agreement and says, ���������A lot of times commercial benefit and the producer���������s perspective is taken into consideration while deciding the title. But I would still say that directors should avoid taking such risks as it can attract negative publicity. Also at times people may decide to give the film a skip assuming it is another lecture on patriotism.���������
But actor Kranti Redkar feels it is okay to use a provocative title as far it is used in good humor and has a hidden connect to the subject. ���������As far as the film has some relation to the title there is no problem in using an attractive title. But if the film contrasts the title or in any way disrespects the nation which I don���������t think is happening here, then it won���������t be right. Also I feel who the director is and the production house also makes a lot of difference. I don���������t think reputed names would want to try such cheap tricks.���������