From Riteish Deshmukh, Kranti Redkar to Sonalee Kulkarni; Marathi celebs who made the headlines in 2021

The year 2021 was out of the imagination for everyone. A lot happened in the Marathi entertainment industry that kept social media buzzing.

After two year's wait, Hemant Dhome's 'Jhimma' was the first Marathi film to release in the theatre. Right from celebrities embracing parenthood to the announcement of big movies, everything was hitting the headlines.

We take a look back and list the names of some Marathi stars that have made headlines:

Marathi actress Kranti Redkar hit the headlines when NCP leader Nawab Malik's slew of allegations against NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede who was probing the SRK's son Aryan Khan drug-on-cruise investigation.

The actress had lashed out at the minister for targeting the entire family and playing the religious and political card to upend an investigation for personal vendetta.

After venturing into production with Marathi films like 'Balak Palak' (2013), 'Lai Bhari' (2014) and 'Faster Fene' (2017), actor Riteish Deshmukh is all set to make his debut as a director with the upcoming Marathi movie 'Ved'.

Taking to his Instagram, Riteish, wrote "After being in front of the camera for 20 years, I take a big leap to stand behind it for the first time. As I direct my first Marathi film, I humbly ask you all for your good wishes and blessings. Be a part of this journey, be a part of this madness.

वेड (Madness)."

Actress Genelia began her acting career with the box-office hit 'Tujhe Meri Kasam' in 2003. Now, the actress is all set to make her debut in Marathi cinema under her husband's direction.

Sharing the BTS video from the sets, Genelia wrote. "And then this happened - My first Marathi film, me coming back to acting after 10 long years and being part of a dream where my husband Riteish Deshmukh directs for the first time and I get to share space with a beautiful Co- Actor Jiya Shankar who gets introduced under our production house MFC"

Marathi cinema's 'Apsara' Sonalee Kulkarni tied the knot with fiance Kunal Benodekar in Dubai on May 7.

Sharing beautiful pictures on her Instagram from her low-key wedding ceremony that took place at a temple in Dubai, Sonalee wrote, “Considering all the uncertainties due to COVID-19 and the overall pandemic situation around the world, it was important to stay safe and understand that a marriage was more important than the ceremony itself.”

Renowned filmmaker Sumitra Bhave, aged 78, passed away today (April 19). According to the reports, Bhave was suffering from age-related issues. She was admitted to a hospital in Pune where she breathed her last.

Marathi and Bollywood's veteran star Kishor Nandlaskar left for his heavenly abode on April 20. According to reports, Kishor tested had positive for COVID-19. He was immediately admitted to the hospital but succumbed to the infection within no time.

Actor-director Subodh Bhave is now all set to make his return to direction with his upcoming musical film 'Manapman'. On the auspicious occasion of Gudi Padwa, the actor took to his Instagram handle to announce his upcoming directorial film 'Manapman'.

Priya Bapat, who is well-known for her Marathi films like 'Vazandar', 'Aamhi Doghi' and many more, is now all set to make her international debut with Aditya Kripalani’s ‘Father Like’.

While sharing her joy and realization with Etimes, on bagging an important role in Aditya Kripalani’s upcoming film ‘Father Like’ the actress had said "I am glad that I didn't bag this film because of popularity or I am a known actor. It happened purely on the process of talent and auditions. Of course, the casting is done on the bases of talent but the audience of ‘Father Like’ was very intense. It was like three rounds of auditions and it took about a months time"

Marathi cinema's star couple Siddharth Chandekar and Mitali Mayekar tied the knot on January 24. The wedding happened in Pune and was a traditional Maharashtrian affair.

Apart from the family members, the ceremony was attended by the couple's close friends from the Marathi industry including Pooja Sawant, Abhidnya Bhave, Aditya Sarpotdar, Umesh Kamat, Bhushan Pradhan etc.