GLORY ROAD

DEVESH SHARMA OFFERS A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF ALL THE DRAMA AND THE MADNESS OF THE RECENTLY CONCLUDED PLANET MARATHI PRESENTS FILMFARE AWARDS MARATHI 2020

- DEVESH SHARMA

Thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we were apprehensive about holding the Planet Marathi presents Filmfare Awards Marathi 2020. We needn’t have worried as the denizens of the Marathi film industry responded whole heartedly. The function was held at St Andrew’s Auditorium on February 28 and to maintain social distancing, we decided to hold the ceremony in three phases. The stars came on time, stayed within their scheduled spots and gave us their utmost cooperation. We’re thankful to them for that. What’s more, COVID-19 testing was mandatory for everyone entering the venue. From the lowest lightboy to the highest ranking star, everyone went through the test and was only allowed to pass after getting a negative report. The proceedings got a boost when Mr. Manish Chopra, Director and Head of Partnerships for Facebook India, wished us luck through a video message, saying holding the event in these extraneous circumstances was a bold and courageous step indeed. The event will be simulcast on Filmfare’s Facebook page, as well as on Colours Marathi, on March 14, at 7 pm onwards.

Mahesh Kothare is a veritable pillar of the Marathi film industry. He started life as a child artiste with the Hindi film Raja Aur Runk (1968), where he played a young Sanjeev Kumar. What’s more, it was a double role but he never faltered even once. Then he became one of the big box office draws of the Marathi industry and later became an ace director and producer as well. Mahesh introduced creature horror to Marathi cinema with his film Zapatlela (1993) and twenty years later made a 3D sequel to it. He was bestowed with the Excellence In Cinema Award. His childhood friend