Laxmi: Filming concludes
Producer-director A Lokhandwala recently completed the last shooting schedule of Laxmi at Shalini Studios in Kolhapur and the environs of the city. Being made under his own banner of A Lokhandwala Production, the film is the first one he is producing and directing. The movie is an emotional family drama, although, according to the film-maker, an attempt has been made to bring in thematic vareity through novel incidents and characterisations. It is based on a story by Keshav Rathod, while the screenplay has been penned by A Lokhandwala himself. The dialogues are by Suresh Gosavi.

The story revolves round a young girl named Laxmi. The sister-in-law does not like the girl and decides to marry off Laxmi to a goonda. But before that could happen, Laxmi runs away from home and later meets a youth, who is mentally retarded. Laxmi marries the youth even after being fully aware of his ailment. The youth, however, becomes normal after marriage and the couple is blessed with two sons. The children grow up. What upheavals take place in Laxmi’s life thereafter is the rest of the story.

The title role of Laxmi has been essayed by Aishwarya Narkar, while the mentally retarded youth is enacted by Avinash Narkar. Usha Naik portrays the role of Laxmi’s sister-in-law. Both Aishwarya and Avinash took part in the last shooting schedule along with Dr Girish Oak, Ankush Choudhary and Bharat Jadhav. Other artistes in the film include Mugdha Shah, Alka Inamdar and Raju Shah. Cinematographed by Ratnakar Laad, it will be edited by MS Shinde. Its lyrics have been penned by Ramesh Anavkar and set to music by Nazir Mahate. Choreography is by Subal Sarkar. The film will soon undergo post-production technicalities in Mumbai. The producer of the film plans to release it in February all over Maharashtra. Simultaneously, he has also announced plans to produce two more Marathi films titled Jeevan and Kanyadaan.

Professor Visarbhole
Krishna Films’ maiden Marathi offering Professor Visarbhole might remind old-timers of a hit comedy in English revolving round an absent-minded professor but beyond the somewhat similar titles, the two films have nothing in common. This is evident from the story synopsis of the Marathi film, also a comedy, which mixes fun with fantasy. Written and directed by Bhaskar Jadhav, the title role in the film has been enacted by the late Raja Gosavi. Producer Kishan Kumar, who also plays an important role, plans to release the film in Western Maharashtra next month.

Tuzyaachsaathi: Due in January
Vaishnavi Films’ Tuzyaachsaathi which is undergoing post-production technicalities at present is being readied for release in January 2001, according to the film’s producer Sharmila Mayekar.

Directed by Kumar Sohoni, it stars Ajinkya Deo, Varsha Usgaonkar, Mohan Joshi, Shivaji Satam, Sanjay Mone, Sheetal Shukla and, in a guest role, Laxmikant Berde. Priyanka Shetty has done a avni dance in the film, which has lyrics written by Pravin Davne and Rohini Ninawe and have been set to music by Anil Mohile.

Pandit Shimpi