'Shwaas' fund-raising drive gets rolling

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">PUNE: Marathi film <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Shwaas</span>''s bid for an Oscar received some much-needed help from Puneites during a fund collection drive organised by film and theatre personalities and theatre groups on Friday.<br /><br />The premises of Balgandharva Rangmandir, from where the drive started, wore a festive look in the evening.<br /><br />With the sound of Dattoba Pachange''s chowghada (a type of drum) lending atmosphere to the occasion, a decorated horse carriage, an open tempo and a brass band, all sporting posters of the movie, led the procession.<br /><br />Volunteers were aboard, all carrying containers in which to collect the money.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal"><br /><br />Unfortunately, nobody from the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Shwaas</span> team was present at the start of the drive, though child artist Ashwin Chitale, who plays the central character in the movie, did join the procession halfway.<br /><br />The initial boost came from Bank of Maharashtra''s executive director Ashok Dugade, who handed over a cheque of Rs 50,000 to noted film and stage actor, Prashant Damle, to start the collection.Krishnakant Kudale, chief organiser of the Pune festival, also donated Rs 21,000 on behalf of the festival to help the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Shwaas</span> team.<br /><br />Then the fund drive rolled down Jangli Maharaj road. With senior theatre and film actor, Chittaranjan Kolhatkar, urging people to donate money, the procession took on the appearance of street theatre. Declining a ride in the carriage, Kolhatkar walked, enthusing the common man into parting generously with his money.<br /><br /></div> </div><div class="section3"><div class="Normal"><br /><br />Even commuters travelling in PMT buses responded to the appeal when a handful of volunteers boarded the buses.<br /><br />Wishing the <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Shwaas</span> team well, actress Lalan Sarang said that Marathi people should come forward with financial help to support <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Shwaas</span>''s campaign for the Oscar. “The task of raising money is not difficult. We should not ask the government for money,� she said.<br /><br />“Every Marathi individual should feel proud to give a breath of life for <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Shwaas</span>.�<br /><br />Pratibha Modak, wife of the late actor Shahu Modak, highlighted the fact that <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Shwaas</span> was the first Marathi film to win the President''s gold medal after a gap of 50 years. Noted compere Sudhir Gadgil, actress Madhu Kambikar, Sushama Deshpande, Vijay Patwardhan and other theatre personalities participated in the drive.</div> </div>