Reported By:
| Edited By: |Source: PTI |Updated: Dec 04, 2010, 07:44 PM IST
"Mifta.in", a website that offers complete details of the first ever Marathi film and theatre awards ceremony outside Indian shores was launched by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan in Mumbai
The three-day extravanganza Marathi International Film and Theatre awards (MIFTA) will be held in Dubai from December 16 to 18. The awards function is taking place on December 17.
In reference to his mother being a Maharashtrian, Salman said his relationship with Marathi is so deep-rooted that without this relationship, he would not be alive.
"Although I do not watch much of the Marathi films, I have definitely seen the famous films with a distinct identify like Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy. Both, I and my family liked all of them. There is ample talent available in the Marathi theatre and film industry and if the directors take it seriously, the Marathi film industry can grow in leaps and bounds," Salman felt.
The 45-year-old actor said Marathi International Film and Theatre Awards (MIFTA) is working in that direction.
"Bollywood can easily spread throughout the world through a widely spoken national language like Hindi but Marathi being essentially a regional language it creates many limitations. But even then a serious effort must be made to cross these limitations to acquaint the world with the Marathi films because that alone is the key for the prosperity of the Marathi theatre and films," Salman said after launching the website yesterday.
He also appealed to NRIs to patronise Marathi movies.
Actor-filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar, who is the brain behind the MIFTA said the event is a celebration of popularity and fame of Marathi films and theatre across the world and will commemorate the golden jubilee of formation of Maharashtra state.
MIFTA has been organised by the joint initiative of Manjrekar's "Ashwami Films" and well known travel company Raja-Rani Travels.
Hardly few days are left for this event to begin and the entire film industry is gripped with the excitement about this majestic event, Manjrekar said.
The website has been designed by Prasad Ajgaonkar, from Indian Interactive Realities.
Manjrekar said the website of this imposing event too is as innovative as the event itself. There are nominations for the best film, best director, best actor, best actress, and best music made available on this web site with a facility to viewers to cast their vote on-line for the preferred candidate in the contest. Online voting is open upto December 10.
