Marathi movie premieres make an impression

So you thought that a film’s premiere was just a first show? If so, you haven’t been to the premiere of a Marathi film lately. Indeed, many Marathi filmmakers are ensuring that the event conveys a sense of what the movie is all about. The ways in which they are being planned are adding to the entertainment value for those lucky enough to attend the first show.
Nitin Desai’s Balgandharva is a fine example of a theme-based premiere. Explains Desai, “Pune being a rich cultural hub, we had planned a special opening. Gajras made of mogra flowers and attar bottles, which symbolise the theatrical accessories of those times, were distributed among the crowds to give them a feel of Balgandharva’s era. We had also put up an exhibition of the jewellery, saris and photographs of Balgandharva.
Disclosing his plans for the premiere of his upcoming film Khel Mandila, Director Viju Mane informs, “As the film is based on puppetry, we are planning to organise puppet shows during the premiere.” Mane feels that a good premiere or launch of a film has become the need of the hour. He adds, “Unlike earlier, when the audience wanted to reach out to us, we need to reach out to them today. So it is necessary to evolve our marketing strategies.
Superstar being his debut film, director Mahendra Kadam did not want to make any compromises. He says, “Each person related with the film, be it the actor or the cinematographer, works very hard. So I feel that this work should reach the maximum number of people. Premieres are important as they give a chance to the cast and crew to personally connect with the audience.” The premiere was a meticulously planned event in which the actors were decked up like superstars. Producer-lead actor Megha Dhade of the film reveals, “I was wearing a black and white designer gown which, along with the red carpet laid inside the theatre, was literally giving a feel of being at Cannes. The special invitation cards for the premiere had our caricatures, which was really a unique idea.
But it’s not only commercial cinema that is being promoted well. For the film Kalubai Chya Navani Chang Bhala, in which goddess Kali Mata is depicted to be the family deity, director Arun Kachre had placed idols of the goddess in all the cinema halls wherever the film premiered. For the premiere of his film Gajaar, which depicts the 18-day pilgrimage of Lord Vitthal, director Ajit Bhairavkar had invited around 200 actual pilgrims that gave an authenticity to the opening. The cast and crew members also wore caps that are worn by the pilgrims.
Mane says that actors too are willing to find time for the big premieres, which adds to the response. He says, “The actors today have realized the importance of connecting to their audience rather than staying in oblivion. That certainly is a positive sign.” We agree.