Vibha Verma
Actor, director and theatre artist Sachin Khedekar was in Goa during IFFI, 2007. He spoke on various aspects of the film festival which is a milestone for Marathi cinema as for the first time, four Marathi films have been screened in the Indian Panorama section.
"From a golden era to an unexpected low and now resurfacing in glory, Marathi cinema is growing in the commercial and parallel sections at an expected pace,’’ said Khedekar, the famous actor-turned-director.
"It’s heartening to know that four Marathi films were being screened in the Indian Panorama section. There was a time when Marathi films were on a decline but it is not so now, I am delighted that the face of Indian Cinema is changing," said the actor who is also a known face in Hindi cinema.
’Avedhe Se Aabhaal’ directed by Bipin Nadkarni, ’Kaalchakra’ directed by Vishal Bhandari, ’Mai Baap’ directed by Gajendra Ahire and ’Harvalele Indradhansh’ directed by Dhiraj Meshram made an integral part of the prestigious Indian Panorama section at IFFI 2007.
"What is inspiring is that Marathi films are finding slots and acceptance in multiplexes too, the cinema is progressing well," he stated.
The actor also agrees that the change in cinema is not only accepted but is drawing a large number of film lovers. "The Marathi films are also undergoing changes and are receiving a welcoming response," he said.
"Cinema is a serious prospect; it should not be looked upon as only a means of entertainment but as a medium which would thrive on creative inputs and which would thrive on actors excelling themselves; the coming of age cinema is all about new stories, acting and the subject dealt with," he added.
Khedekar, who was here for the screening of his film ’Kalchakra’, had a word of praise for IFFI 2007, "The 38th International Film Festival of India has been organised very sharply and is very well set up." He further added that this year, there was more focus on cinema rather than other peripheral activities. The actor was also excited that the overall concept of IFFI 2007 was such that it aimed at attracting film makers and actors who could connect to serious cinema and not just Bollywood.
Currently, Khedekar is busy with his forthcoming projects, some of which are Ketan Mehta’s ’Rang Rasia’ (on Raja Ravi Verma), Ajay Devgan’s film ’You, Me and Hum" and Ashiwini Bhave’s production ’Kadhachit’.
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