Lai Bhaari!

Salman Khan: Salman's act as the Marathi manoos Bhau replete with the dhoti and the Nehru topi in Lai Bhaari has floored his fans. What's more Salman, whose mother is a Maharashtrian had himself offered to be a part of Riteish's film. Riteish tweeted, "Salman Khan never approached me for a role - but he graciously offered to be a part of #LaiBhaari." He is now remaking a couple of Marathi films like Shikshanacha Aicha Go and Yellow in Hindi.

Rekha: This elusive diva was probably the first Bolly superstar to lend her glamour to Marathi films. She did the famous lavani number Kuta kuta jaayacha honeymoon la in the Dada Kondke film Bhingari. Wearing the typical navvari (nine-yard sari) and a nath (nose ring) Rekha looked every bit a Marathan.

Jackie Shroff: The actor made his debut in Marathi films with Renuka Shahane's directorial venture Rita. He played the role of a mentor to the protagonist in the film. Since then Jackie has done two more films Janmajanmantar (on the reincarnation theme) in which he played the main lead and Hrudayanath where he was seen in a pivotal role as a school master on the verge of retirement. His Marathi may not be very fluent, but that hasn't stopped his performances from being critically acclaimed.

Amitabh Bachchan: Amitabh Bachchan along with wife Jaya had made a special appearance in Akka, a film produced by his make-up man Deepak Sawant. The superstar appears at the beginning of the film talking about being grateful to Maharashtra for the giving him respect, fame and love. He then entreats the audience to watch Deepak's first Marathi production and is followed by a song picturised on him and Jaya.

Sonali Bendre: Cham cham karta hai... grooved Sonali in Aga Bai Arrecha. Yes, the song was Hindi but the film was Marathi. The item number was the highlight of the film and Sonali added to it with her latka-jhatkas. The song attracted a lot on non-Marathi viewers. Before that the charming actress had made her debut with Amol Palekar's Anahat that was about a woman asserting her right to sexuality.

Sharmila Tagore: The dimpled actress and Amol Palekar have never worked together in Hindi films but they had done one Bengali film Mother together. So, when Amol approached her for his Marathi Samantar, the Bengali actress returned the favour. The movie exploring the complex man woman relationship was Amol's film comeback after 22 years and Sharmila's foray into Marathi.

Tanuja: The talented actress had done a film in her mother-tongue three decades ago with Shreeram Lagoo but it is for her recent foray Pitruroon that she will be remembered most. For the first time, Tanuja went completely bald to play the role of a widow in the film based on Sudha Murhty's book. As actor-turned-director Nitish Bharadwaj said, "It took only 30 secs for Tanuja to give a nod to the film after hearing the story and had no qualms about going bald for the role."

Urmila Matondkar: This Marathi mulgi danced her way into Hridyanath saying Ya na to her Rangeela co-star Jackie Shroff. And now the actress is getting into a serious mode of acting in Marathi cinema with Ajoba based on the real life story of a leopard. Urmila plays a wildlife researcher Vidya Athreya.

Tanishaa Mukherjee: After Tanuja, it's the turn of her daughter to make a foray into Marathi cinema with Anntar. The film has her playing an NRI and the first schedule has already been shot in London. Talking about her debut in Marathi films Tanisha had said she was doing it is a gift for her mother. "Our family history is steeped in Maharashtra and Marathi cinema has been an integral part of my family."

Suniel Shetty: The actor who is back in action with Jai Ho and the upcoming Desi Kattey will soon be seen in a Marathi film. Suniel Shetty has agreed to do Ajay Phansekar's yet-to-be-titled film about a mother-son relationship with a cop. Suniel will be playing the cop.

Anil Kapoor: This jhakaas actor had done a guest appearance in the comedy film Hamaal De Dhamaal starring Laxmikant Berde and Varsha Usgaonkar. Anil played himself in the film and his face stood out prominently in the posters.

Several Bolly actors who turned producers have chosen to kickstar their ventures with meaningful Marathi films. Vihir produced by Amitabh Bachchan's company made the rounds of several international film festivals, and so did Akshay Kumar's 72 Miles Ek Pravaas. He is now producing his next Marathi film Anntar that has Tanishaa making her foray into her mother tongue. Riteish Deshmukh entered Marathi cinema as a producer with the critically acclaimed Balak Palak followed by Yellow and now has also acted in Lai Bhaari. Anil Kapoor, who has already produced films like My Wife's Murder, Gandhi Aur Main, Aisha etc has also expressed his desire to produce a Marathi film.