The 20th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) is well underway, with the Marathi films in the Marathi film competition attracting a lot of crowd, and this year is no different. There are seven films vying for the coveted Government of Maharashtra, the “Sant Tukaram” Best International Marathi Film.
In 2006, the Government of Maharashtra started awarding the best film in the Marathi competition section at the festival.
The seven films, Godavari,(Nikhil Mahajan), Saleel Kulkarni’s Ekada Kaay Zala, Mohit Takalkar’s Medium Spicy,Rasika Agashe’s debut film TICHA SHAHAR HONA, Potra by Shankar Arjun Dhotre, Ananth Mahadevan’s Aata Vel Zali and Niwaas by Mehul Agaja are all garnering a lot of interest among the festival watchers and every show is getting a full house.
Godavari bagged the Silver Peacock for Best Actor and the Special Jury Prize for Direction at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in Goa, and Mohit Takalkar’s Medium Spicy got standing ovation at their screenings during the festival.
“PIFF is the only festival to have an international jury and that was one of the most important objectives of PIFF, to give regional and indigenous cinema a global platform. These films represent contemporary thought, culture and society in Maharashtra. They bring to the fore young talent and experimental forms of filmmaking in the state,” said Dr Jabbar Patel, festival director, PIFF.
These films are in the running to win the Government of Maharashtra award, the “Sant Tukaram” Best International Marathi Film Award (Rs. 5 Lakh). The Akhil Bharatiya Chitrapat Mahamandal gives away the following awards – Best Film Director (Rs. 25,000/-), Best Film Actor male (Rs. 25,000/-), Best Film Actor female (Rs. 25,000/-), Best Screenplay (Rs. 25,000/-) and Best Cinematographer (Rs. 25,000/-).
Watch out for which Marathi film walks away with the top coveted prize at PIFF 2022. The results will be declared tomorrow! Meanwhile, share your thoughts on your favourite film in the competition!
