'Dharmantar' launched by director Ujjwal Thengadi

Very few Marathi films are based on political themes. Therefore, Marathi films dedicated to the political drama ranging from path-breaking 'Simhasan' directed by Dr. Jabbar Patel to 'Zenda' by Avadhoot Gupte were widely acclaimed by the Marathi audiences. One such Marathi feature film that overwhelmingly won the admiration of the audiences also honoured with several coveted awards was 'Vazeer', directed by eminent director Ujwal Thengdi.
Not only did this film, released in the early 90s, earn a widespread recognition and acclaim of the Marathi audiences spread across the world but it also proved to be a grand film of its own kind that accorded an altogether new dimension to the Marathi film industry. It was conferred with 6 different State-level awards belonging to three different categories and 3 Filmfare Awards too. What was worth noting is, Thengadi won three State-level awards for story, screenplay and dialogues for a debut film itself.
Indeed, deservingly called as a 'milestone movie' in the glittering history of the Marathi film industry, Vazeer shined dazzlingly with the dashing performances of talented stars like Vikram Gokhale, Ashok Saraf, Ashutosh Gowarikar and Ashwini Bhave.
Along with Vazeer, Ujwal Thengdi has also written and directed several short films, serials, and plays. A Hindi film made by him called, In the Name of Tai ��������� Tai Ke Naam too was appreciated by a wide range of film critiques. Ujwal Thengdi is now poised to bring a similar political film to feed the appetite of Marathi audiences and above all his fans that attempts to show his minute understanding of the political sphere and reflections thereof through astonishingly microscopic behavioral patterns of human psychology.
Dharmantarbeing made under the banner of Oum Films, is being produced and directed by Ujwal Thengdi himself. The ceremonial launching of this film was recently conducted in the auspicious hands of veteran director Rajdatt. At this celebrated function a scene from this film too was shot. While talking at this function, Thengdi said, ���������Nowadays everybody deploys the concept of secularism as per his or her own convenience. Fundamentally, no one has truly understood the true meaning of this word to its letters and spirit. The notions of majority or minority population do not fit into the ideal definition of the word secularism because it exists far beyond the conservative meaning of these two notions. I intend to present all of these principles through my upcoming feature film.���������
While expressing his intent, the guest of honour, Rajdatt said, ���������The subject-matter of the film is highly provocative. Therefore, the initiative taken by Ujwal Thengdi is tremendously bold step indeed but I am confident that he will project this complex subject with equal expertise since his own thoughts about it are sufficiently clear and accurately defined. I offer my best wishes to all the artistes and technicians associated with this film.���������
A major distinction of this daring attempt is that nearly 14 different sensitive responsibilities related with this film, such as the story-screenplay-dialogues, lyrics-music, art, choreography, production management, costume, action-scenes, casting and acting are being looked after by Ujjwal himself and such a unique effort is being made for the first time in the history of the Marathi film industry.
The star-cast of the film includes renowned actors like Dr. Vilas Ujwane, Sharad Ponkshe, Smita Tambe, Ashwini Ekbote, Ranjit Jog, Vikas Patil, Hemangi Kavi, Faiyaaz, Parag Aajgaonkar, Ujwal Thengdi and veteran actress Sulochana Didi.
Source: gomolo.com