|
|
|
| Free E-magazine |
| Subscribe to our Free E-Magazine on Films. |
| Learn More |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Home > Regional Films > Marathi Films > V.Shantaram
| |
| | V.Shantaram
| |
| |
 In 1929 along with four other partners V.G. Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal, S.B. Kulkarni he formed the Prabhat Film Company. Shantaram`s first really significant film at Prabhat was Ayodhyacha Raja (1932).
1932 - Agnikankan: The film starred Shankarrao Bhonsle, Kamaladevi, Master Vinayak, and Baburao Pendharkar. The film was released in Hindi and Marathi. A king is overthrown by his Commander, but subsequently his power and honour are restored by the prince. The swords play by the prince notwithstanding, the film had staid performances.
1937 - Kunku:  The film starred Shanta Apte, Keshavrao Date, Raja Nene, Shakuntala Paranjpye. Even this film released both in Marathi and hindi (Duniya Na Maane). This was the story of a young woman refusing to accept her marriage to a much older man. Neera is trapped into marrying an old widower Kakasaheb. He is a progressive lawyer with a son and daughter of Neera`s age. Neera refuses to consummate the union claiming that while suffering can be borne, injustice cannot. Neera faces many hurdles including her mother-in-law and a lascivious stepson Pandit. Finally the widower realizing the unfairness of the situation commits suicide thus freeing Neera. It was a well meaning and hard hitting, brave film. Shantaram went ahead regardless and was vindicated when the film was both a critical and commercial success.
 1939 - Manoos:The film starred Shahu Modak, Shanta Hublikar and Sundarabai in the main characters. Even this film released both in Marathi and hindi (Aadmi). This is a love story of a policeman and a prostitute is arguably regarded as Shantaram`s finest film. The film is a tragedy featuring a policeman Ganpatand a prostitute Maina. Ganpat saves Maina from a police raid on a brothel. They fall in love. However her reputation and sense of guilt resist his attempts to rehabilitate her. Ganpat`s respectable middle-class mother symbolizes what he would like Maina to be like. But feeling her past would always catch up with her, Maina leaves Ganpat. She is arrested for killing her wicked uncle and refuses Ganpat`s offer to release her from prison. It might well be so for Manoos is significant not only in terms of thematic content but also as a work of motion picture art, as well as for its technical innovations and artistic integrity particularly in the use of physical spaces to represent mental states of the characters.
1941 - Shejari: This movie was a plea for communal harmony. It`s interesting that in the Hindi version Mazhar Khan, a Muslim plays the Hindu and Gajanan Jagirdar, a Hindu played the Muslim in the film.
1951 - Amar Bhoopali: This musical biopic of Honaji Bala popularized the musical dance form of the Lavani. The film and its classic song "Ghanshyam Sundara Shirdara", became cult classics in Marathi Cinema.
Maya Machhindra: Directed by V.Shantaram, the film starred Govindrao Tembe, Durga Khote, Master Vinayak, Baburao Pendharkar, Tanibai and Hirabai. A legendary story of the tantric Machhindranath and his lesson on illusion (maya) about the maya (illusion) of earthly matters. His disciple believes he sees his guru (master/teacher) succumbing to marriage and women and decides to save him. Later, he realizes that the entire experience had been illusory. The Vasantotsav (festival of Spring) was a special feature of the film, the third made by V. Shantaram in association with Govindrao Tembe (the musician, lyricist, dialogue-writer and actor). The other two films - Ayodhyecha Raja and Agnikankan.
 1972 - Pinjra: Directed by V. Shantaram, the film starred Sandhya, Shriram Lagoo, Nilu Phule, Vatsala Deshmukh, Govind Kulkarni, and Sarla Yevlekar. The love between an righteous teacher and a Tamasha artiste compels the lover to take on a new identity. This leads to complications as he finds himself accused of the teacher`s murder! This was the first film of Shriram Lagoo, a star of the Marathi stage. His natural style of acting heralded a new type for mainstream Marathi films.
| |
| |
|
