The 22nd Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) is set to showcase the richness of Marathi cinema, with Sujay Sunil Dahake’s “Shyamchi Aai” leading the charge in the Best Marathi Picture category. The festival, scheduled from January 18 to 25, promises a celebration of artistic brilliance and cultural diversity.
Dahake’s film is an adaptation of the autobiography of Sane Guru, a notable social worker and freedom fighter. The poignant narrative and stellar performances have earned “Shyamchi Aai” a place among the seven contenders for the coveted award.
Joining the competition are six other outstanding Marathi films:
- Naal Bhag 2 by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti
- Valli by Manoj Shinde
- Sthal (A Match) by Jayant Digambar Somalkar
- Bhehra (Deaf) by Shrikant Prabhakar
- Chabila by Anil Amrut Bhalerao
- Gypsy by Shashi Chandrakant Khandare
Jabbar Patel, director of PIFF, expressed enthusiasm about the festival’s Marathi film competition, emphasizing its role in recognizing and honoring outstanding contributions to the industry.
An international jury, known for its discerning eye, will have the challenging task of evaluating these cinematic gems. The Maharashtra government has added to the excitement by announcing a substantial prize of Rs 5 lakh for the Best Marathi Picture.
In addition to the Best Picture award, other accolades, including Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, and Best Cinematographer, will be presented by the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal. Each of these categories carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, making the competition even more intense and rewarding for the talented individuals behind these films.
As the festival approaches, film enthusiasts and industry professionals eagerly await the unveiling of cinematic brilliance at PIFF. The celebration of Marathi cinema’s excellence is expected to captivate audiences and contribute to the continued growth and recognition of regional filmmaking.
Festive Offer: For those looking to immerse themselves in this cinematic extravaganza, the online registration process commenced on December 23 through the official website. Spot registrations at theaters will kick off from January 5, with a reasonable registration fee of Rs 800 for access to the entire festival.
