Marathi cinema wins multiple awards at 71st National Film Awards
Aatmapamphlet, directed by Ashish Bende, won the best debut film by a director in the feature film category, while Naal 2, helmed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti, was awarded best children's film, both receiving the coveted Swarna Kamal and ₹3 lakh each.
Additionally, Shyamchi Aai was declared the best Marathi feature film, directed by Sujay Dahake. Young Marathi actors also left their mark, with Naal 2 child artists Treesha Thosar, Shrinivas Pokale, and Bhargav Jagtap, along with Kabir Khandare from Gypsy, jointly winning the best child artist award.
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The awards, announced on Friday in New Delhi, marked a significant achievement for Marathi filmmakers across categories, ranging from debut direction and children's cinema to feature films inspired by literary legends.
Filmmaker Ashish Bende won the best debut film by a director for Aatmapamphlet, a coming-of-age drama that resonated with audiences and the jury alike. Overwhelmed by the recognition, Bende said, "Getting a national award was always a dream for me, but I did not know that my dream would be realised in my directorial debut. Though it is an award for direction, I feel that it is not a solo award but an award for the entire team of Aatmapamphlet.
The film was made during the Covid-19 pandemic with a lot of effort, and today all those efforts have paid off."
Bende will receive the Swarna Kamal for this award. He added, "The Marathi film industry has a long legacy of quality films, and today I feel proud that I am part of this rich tradition. The award will personally encourage me to keep doing quality work."
A sequel to the much-loved Naal, Naal 2, directed by Sudhakar Reddy Yakkanti, which won best children's film in the children's film category, impressed the audience with its sincerity and strong performances by its young cast.
Its child actors — Treesha Thosar, Shrinivas Pokale, and Bhargav Jagtap — were jointly honoured with the best child artist award, alongside Kabir Khandare for his role in another Marathi film, Gypsy.
The film, Gypsy, was praised at various film festivals. The film's director, Shashi Chandrakant Khandare, said: "Kabir is inherently a very talented actor, and he is deeply passionate about acting. He also possesses great patience and endurance, which are essential for acting.
During the shoot, we were filming in nearly 42-degrees heat near Solapur. According to his character, he didn't wear slippers in some of the early scenes.
For almost 12 consecutive days, he walked barefoot through forests, barren fields, tar roads, and villages — without ever showing the slightest sign of pain on his face."
The award for best Marathi feature film was announced for Shyamchi Aai, directed by Sujay Sunil Dahake.
The film is based on the childhood of freedom fighter and writer Sane Guruji and is inspired by his autobiographical classic. Set in pre-Independence India, Shyamchi Aai is a moving portrayal of a mother's love through the eyes of her son. The film is also a creative reimagining of the 1953 classic of the same name.
With three major awards — for debut direction, children's cinema, and regional feature — Marathi cinema has reaffirmed its cultural depth and artistic excellence at the national level. These wins not only celebrate past legacies but also pave the way for a promising future in regional storytelling.
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