Kolhapurkars revisit the bygone era with Raja Paranjape’s films

For the older generations, the name Raja Paranjape is sure to bring back memories of acclaimed films like Lakhachi Goshta and Pedgaonche Shahane. The late actor, producer and director is well-known in the Marathi film industry and as a means to revisit his work, his family started the Raja Paranjape Mahotsav a while ago.

The 10th edition of the festival recently concluded in the city and Kolhapurkars were treated a rich collection of Paranjape’s films as part of the same. While the first eight editions were held in Pune, for the last two editions, the fest returned to where it all started. “In the late 1950s, Kolhapur was the hub for Marathi film industry and Raja Paranjape started his career from the city. Moreover, his guru Bhalji Pendharkar is a revered personality here. Hence, we decided to shift this festival to Kolhapur,” says Archana Rane, Paranjape’s granddaughter who is also a trustee of Raja Paranjape Prathisthaan that organises the festival.

Throughout the festival, which screened his movies during the day time and hosted various cultural programs in the evening, the venue, Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagruha, was packed with visitors.

Those watching Paranjape’s work for the first time were curious to know the man who has so much fame to his name, and those who were familiar with his work were elated to revisit it. Movies like Ganget Ghoda Nhala, Padchaya, Varhadi Vajantri and Pudhcha Paul were screened throughout the festival which started on April 14 and ended on April 20. Rahul Date, an HR professional, shared, “Whatever point Raja Paranjape wanted to make was put forth very subtly through his movies. He never stuck to a particular genre but aced in whatever film he made.”

Adding to it, Lalita More, a finance professional, says that for Kolhapurkars, opportunities to watch such rare movies are rare. “We just realise how drastically different films were in the earlier times. Also, these films hold a certain charm and sense of nostalgia for us, mainly because Raja Paranjape started his career from our city,” she said.

Youngsters who were watching Paranjape’s films for the first time said that it was a good opportunity for them to learn about the evolution of Marathi cinema. Gauri Keskar, a music student from the city, said, “Elders from my family say they have watched these films in makeshift cinemas and tents at times when there were no theatres. I am happy that we are getting to watch these classics in today’s time through such festivals.” Sahil Kulkarni, a hospitality professional, added, “These films are a part of our cinematic heritage and watching them here was like being a part of that heritage.”





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