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Marathi film on Phalke is India’s Oscar entry

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Alaka Sahani Posted: Sep 21, 2009 at 0845 hrs IST
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Asha parekhThe jury was headed by veteran actress Asha Parekh.
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In 1914, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, widely known as Dadasaheb Phalke, declined an offer to make films in London. “I have to keep making films in my country so that it gets established as an industry at home,” said the man who gave India its first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra. Nearly 95 years have elapsed since then and the Indian film industry has become the biggest in the world, but the father of Indian cinema continues to inspire and contribute to the industry. The latest instance of this is Harishchandrachi Factory.

This Marathi film about how Phalke made his first film has been nominated as India’s official entry to this year’s Oscars in the Foreign Film Category. It’s the second Marathi film after Shwas (2004) to bag this honour. Its selection was announced by the Film Federation of India (FFI) and the jury was headed by veteran actress Asha Parekh.

“The inspiration for the film came from Dadasaheb Phalke. His adventure of filmmaking is the basis of the film,” says Paresh Mokashi, director and writer of the film. Harishchandrachi Factory —which faced competition from 15 films including New York and Delhi 6 — captures the first two years of Phalke’s cinematic career. The two-hour-long film starts with Phalke giving up his printing business after a fight with his partner. Soon, he accidentally comes across a tent theatre, screening a silent film. An awestruck Phalke decided to make a film and was encouraged by his wife and two enthusiastic children. The Oscar-nominated film ends with Phalke delivering Indian film industry’s first hit using his advertising acumen.

Mokashi started working on the film in 2005. The script was ready after three months of research on Phalke’s life. “After that started the magical hunt for money to make the film. I didn't want to make a low-budget film and make absolutely no comprises in creating this period drama,” he says.
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Marathi films are at their best by Showmick Dhar on 2009-09-22 21:25:07.786066+05:30 The Quality of Marathi films is amazing. Post Shwaas, Marathi film industry is on a full swing. Scripts are well written and executed, films made on tight budget. The audience of Marathi films is increasing. Some of the notable films are Shwaas, Maati May (with Nandita Das made by Chitra Palekar), Harishchandrachi Factory, Samaantar, Gabhiracha Paus, Devrai, Dahavi Fa, Tingya, Uttarayan, Vaastupurush,Dombivali Fast, Pak Pak Pakaak, Rita, Kadachit, Doghi, Mee Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy, Savalee, Vihir, Nirop… The list goes on. Its too bad some of these good Marathi films are not shown in theatres outside Maharashtra and Goa.

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Chasing Oscars by Nair on 2009-09-22 08:53:45.955356+05:30 Mokashi's film is nominated as India's official entry to the Oscars' Foreign Film category. The article, however, refers to it as "Oscar nominated". Not yet! Although it probably stands a better chance than recent Indian entries to being shortlisted as one of four/five nominees for an Oscar. Good luck! If past nominees in this category are anything to go by, it appears that the Academy favours a foreign film with a believable and strong story-line. One that showcases strong performances, local culture, history, reality and yet, resonates with an international audience, both artistically and emotionally. Our three-hour-long, over-the-top, song-and-dance extravaganzas simply don't measure up.

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raght decision by ashok mehta sangli on 2009-09-22 08:22:22.190254+05:30 very few films in India as big as harichadra's fectory .ashaji thanks right decicion .

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All the best! by Piyush on 2009-09-22 03:07:50.593609+05:30 ..to the film, film crew and all Indians! Jai Hind, Jai Maharashtra!

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Great Tribute by Kapil on 2009-09-21 22:09:41.927723+05:30 This is a great tribute to the father of indian cinema....Marathi cinema and Theatre Rocks

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Haerty news ! by Sajjan Pandit on 2009-09-21 13:05:37.110753+05:30 This is something that is astoundingly wise coming from a government body ! And, let the Hindi (Urdu)pic makers learn a lesson on their true responsibilities over and above money chasing by making their films market oriented. And therefore, totally disgusting - belonging to no particular topic, but wavering unexpectedly/disgustingly in the direction of cheapness (and ultimately oblivion). How many of you have not felt short-changed after watching a Hindi movie? Very few, die-hard "kuchh bhi chalata hain" types, I am sure. Another pleasant outcome as evident from all this is that Marathi Film is coming up with a class in itself just like the Marathi dramas, which in my opinion, are the best in India.

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The ledgend gets his due by Martin on 2009-09-21 09:53:05.304579+05:30 Awesome Pick! India is more confident, they are ready to set the pace now, rather than follow the trail. This story needed to be told and to capture it they way they have remarkable.

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Great tribute! by SP on 2009-09-21 08:14:59.568882+05:30 This is good news. An Oscar to this film would be the ultimate tribute to the legendary Dadasaab Phalke, father of Indian cinema. Hope KJs (Karan Johar) and others learn and insipre from this and make some meaningful movies rather than dostana etc..

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Dadasaheb the legend by Dee on 2009-09-21 06:42:24.020059+05:30 wow.Dadasaheb Phalke is eternal.

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