An E-mail Interview with 'Paresh Mokashi'

Marathi Cinema has again got back its glory. Though there was never any dearth of talent in the Marathi film industry, a time had come when it had stopped producing quality cinema; it was going through a lull period. It used to produce movies which were rural centric, and filthy and loud comedy and ‘Lavani’ (A maharashtrian folk dance) were an integral part of it.
Gone are those days now. Marathi movie has evolved and has got a new life. With so many talented directors, writers, actors now started making movies on diverse subjects. Multiplexes also play a major role in the revival of the Marathi cinema, along with the hindi movies Marathi movies are also giving good business to the multiplex theaters.
Also due to marathi NRIs spread all across the globe, Marathi films are now been screened in different parts of the world. It has got a new avenue.
Dubai has also witnessed special screenings and world premieres of many Marathi movies in the recent times. Now on 21st May 2010, we are having a special screening of the Marathi movie ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ which is based on the life of Dadasaheb Phalke who has brought cinema to India. It was India’s official entry to the Oscars for 2010.

In India ‘Cinema’ and ‘Cricket’ both are our religion, they are so much integral part of our lives. Today the Indian movie Industry is the biggest movie industry in the world, we worship our film stars. So many reality shows, music albums, singers - all thrive on Indian cinema. But how many of us know who is the person behind bringing cinema to India?
It is almost a century old thing now, the first movie ‘Raja Harishchandra’ which was directed by dadasaheb Phalke was released on 3rd may 1913, but it is really surprising that during this 95 years nobody thought of making a movie on the man himself who brought cinema to India.
After almost a century, the idea to make a movie on the life of Dadasaheb Phalke was struck to ‘Paresh Mokashi’ who is a veteran theatre director and artist. He came across a biographical book written by bapu watve on Dadasaheb phalke and that book inspired him to make a movie on the life of dadasaheb phalke.
This movie is his directorial debut and his first attempt took him to the Oscar nomination.
His brilliance is evident from the unique style of storytelling and direction. It is not a typical loud and melodramatic biopic. Instead he has given a very light and comic treatment to the movie. This makes the movie appealing to all kind of audience.
It is a beautifully shot movie which depicts the struggle and challenges faced by Dadasaheb Phalke while making the first movie, but in a very lighter way.
He has shot some nuances so beautifully like the reaction of the audience and his wife when they first time watch the moving pictures. There was a mixed feeling of fear and thrill in the audience. Also His struggle to find a female artist for the role of ‘Taramati’ is been shown so hilariously.
He has portrayed the character of Dadasaheb Phalke so damn well. Phalke comes across as an entrepreneur, visionary, adventurous and a humorous person.
I would say everything about this movie is very perfect. And hence would recommend everyone who is a cinema lover wanting to watch quality cinema to watch this movie. This movie is with subtitles and it has a universal appeal, so even though you don’t understand Marathi language you will enjoy watching this movie.

I happen to take an interview of the director ‘Paresh Mokashi’ . Though due to lack of time I could not take his interview in person I sent him a questionnaire and he answered back to my questions in writing – an email interview, so to say.
Overview:
The film is the story about the beginning of the Indian Film Industry, set in 1913, when two business partners fell out resulting in one leaving the company. As the family struggle to survive Phalke (Nandu Madhav) decides to make his own silent motion picture along with the support of his family. He travels to England to learn about the new medium and after he returns, brings together a team of actors and technicians to produce his first film about the story of Raja Harishchandra. Through all the hard work the movie becomes a hit thus marking the beginning of one of the world's biggest film industry.

Excerpts from the interview:




Tell us something about yourself and how did you come into this profession?
Paresh: I was interested in the theatre since school days. It continued in college. First I was an actor, then shifted to writing and directing plays.

What inspired you to make a movie on the life of legendary Dadasaheb Phalke?
Paresh:I read a biography by bapu watve. And right there and then the idea of making film on phalke struck me.

Once you decided to make the movie on this subject what kind of research did you do? Which biographical and other books you referred to?
Paresh: Couple of books on him. Discussed phalke with film historians. National film archive and film institute in pune helped a lot.

How difficult was it to show an era which is 100 years ago? How did you manage to show Bombay of that time? Did you do any special study/research on the Marathi language which was spoken at that time, the clothing of the characters etc etc?
Paresh: It was not difficult as my art director was nitin desai. I will say it was challenging. Mr desai is an expert in the field plus my team did thorough study and was ready with all the photos, articles, diagrams of the things required. All departments like costume, make up, sound did their research and came up with many interesting things. Marathi language was a little different at that time but I had handled it in some plays I did which belonged to the same era. So not much trouble there.

What hurdles/difficulties did you face while making this movie?
Paresh: Nothing. It was all a pleasure.

You made your directorial debut through this movie and your first attempt took you to the Oscar nominations. How does it feel?
Paresh: Fine.

Can you share some of your special experiences while making this movie?
Paresh:The whole thing was special. The one important thing I must mention is the support from family and friends. Without them it was not possible.

Tell us something about the Chaplinesque treatment you have given to Dadasaheb’s character. The treatment of the movie is very light and funny which makes the movie more appealing to the audience.
Paresh: I don’t know about chaplinesque. There is no resemblence, no similarity. If at all people feel like it, its my honour. Maybe the answer lies in the light humoured adventure treatment. Chaplin always made us laugh on the serious issues; that’s how they should be handled.

While making this movie did you feel that it will be so very well received by the audience and that it will be nominated for Oscars?
Paresh: No.

What preparation did you do for the promotion of this movie once it was declared as the official entry to the Oscars?
Paresh: Nothing. By that time utv had entered the picture. They guided nicely. You just need to submit the film. Rest is jury’s decision.

Marathi cinema is changing and is changing for good , once again audience has started going back to the theatre to watch Marathi cinema , ‘Harishchandrachi factory’ is the 2nd Marathi movie in the recent times which is nominated for Oscars. What is your take on the changing face and trend in Marathi cinema?
Paresh: Lets not be so enthusiastic. Change is visible but business is not growing in proportion to the risk filmmakers are taking. We need stronger box office revenues. Onus is on people.

Why the movie duration is only 96 mins and why did you decide to make it in Marathi language and not Hindi?
Paresh: Because it did not require longer duration and because film does not depend upon any one language. This kind of film becomes beautiful when made in creator’s mother tongue. That ease, confidence gets translated nicely on screen too thus making it a stronger film. Then it breaks the language barrier because it has become a picture and not just a talkie.

Do you want to tell any special message to the audience in dubai?
Paresh:Watch the film!

Ek Mulakat with Avadhoot Gupte

There are so many talent hunt shows for singing going on various channels; one often wonders what happens to these contestants and winners after these contests are over. Not all of them can make their mark in the music industry. But I happen to meet such a person who was a winner of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ in 1996 and who made his mark in the Marathi as well as indi-pop music industry as a good composer, singer and also a lyricist …… Avadhoot Gupte.
His albums ‘Aika dajiba’ and ‘Meri madhoobala’ and also songs like ‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Maaza’ were on top of the charts and were hugely appreciated by people all across the country. He has composed, written and sung most of these songs from these albums.
His first album as a composer was an Indi-Pop album called "Aika Dajiba" which is considered to be a landmark album in the field of Indian Pop Music. "Aika Dajiba" started the trend of Hindi pop songs with a Marathi punch line. He calls this type of music as combo music. This song received unparalleled response from audiences of all ages world over.
This album was followed up with yet another super hit album, which launched him as a pop singer - "Meri Madhubala".
Most of his songs are composed, sung and even written by him. The simplicity and smooth flow of his lyrics got such a tremendous response from the audiences that he found himself writing the lyrics for most of his compositions. From the foot tapping fun songs like Aika Dajiba, Meri Madhubala, Halu Halu Chaal to romantic songs like Koi Ho and Kabhi Gehere Samunder right up to sentimental numbers like Din Pareshan, Saila and Piya Lage Na Jiya, Avadhoot writes and composes songs of different kinds of moods with equal amount of ease and expertise.
This very versatile and talented singer-composer-lyricist was in Dubai on 30th May for his concert named ‘Dil se Maratha’ which was organized by ‘Maharashtra Mandal Dubai’ in the Mall of emirates. This was his first solo-concert abroad and he received an overwhelming response here. What we all witnessed was his talent as a performer. He is an outstanding performer who creates an instant rapport with the audience.





Here are some excerpts from the interview….

Varsha: Have you taken any formal training in music? Do u have any family background in music? Which place do you belong to?
Avadhoot: Yes I have taken formal training in Hindustani classical music for 12 years from Pandit Jayant Datar.
There are no singers in my family, but yes art is there in my family. My father is a commercial artist and he runs an advertising firm.
I am born and brought up in Mumbai, but my native place is Kolhapur.

V: Tell me about your experience of ‘Sa Ra Ga Ma’. How did it help you to shape up your career?
A: I was a winner of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ in 1996. When I was selected from the audition, it was a surprise for me, I never imagined or expected or even thought that I would go past even the first round. So I was very relaxed and just considered it as an opportunity to showcase my singing talent infront of the whole nation and I think this approach helped me in winning the contest.
This victory helped me a lot to shape up my career. People had started knowing and recognizing me because of this contest, whenever I used to go to meet any music director they had heard about me because of ‘Sa Ra Ga Ma’. So in a way it opened lot of opportunities for me and made my path smoother and with fewer hurdles.

V: You started the trend of remixes of Marathi songs and also combo music in the indi-pop music industry. Tell me how this idea of bringing Marathi song remixes and combo music struck your mind?
A: I never planned or consciously decided things in my life. It just happened. I would say my music is always a reaction of what is happening around. That time the trend of remixed song was very popular and what I found that only Punjabi and Hindi dance numbers were available for the audience. I found the need to bring other regional songs also on the national level so that they also will be known within wider audience. I am from Maharashtra so obviously I thought of bringing Marathi song remixes and also a combo music where the punch line of Hindi song is Marathi. This experiment of mine was received very well by the audience and my albums ‘Aika Dajiba’ and ‘Meri Madhoobala’ became runaway hits.
V: On which project are you working now?
A: I am working on a Hindi rock album which is yet to be titled.
V: Being the winner of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma’ and also being a judge of Marathi ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ what do you think about such contests and reality shows?
A: I think all these reality shows are really good. They are providing platforms for numerous aspiring singers bringing the talent from the remote pockets of india infront of the whole nation. But yes…only those who are genuinely talented can survive and achieve something in the music industry as is it for any other fields. Ultimately only real talent survives.

V: Do you want to give any message for all the aspiring singers and musicians who are participating in the reality shows?
A: I don’t consider myself in a position to give any message to anybody. But yes I can give a friendly advice to all these aspiring singers, composers that they should retain their originality and should try to give something new to the audience without thinking that whether the audience will like it or not. Audience will do their job, but we should always try to give something new and also good to the audience.
With those words, we concluded the interview. It was really wonderful chatting with such a versatile person, who is a good singer as well as a great composer and lyricist and who is a mind blowing performer on the stage and is equally good in all the roles…. a complete artist. We wish him lots of success.