The trend of signing top actors for multiple-film contracts is being emulated in Marathi film industry also.
MUMBAI: The trend of signing top actors for multiple-film contracts is being emulated in Marathi film industry also.
However, the multi-film contracts do not bring in big money for the Marathi actors like the Hindi film industry. But good scripts and aspiring directors are getting their dues.
Difference in ecconomics of Marathi and Hindi film production is huge. For Marathi, the production cost is average because the shooting takes place in only one or two locations.
Besides, the exhibition of Marathi films is only in Maharashtra unlike Hindi movies which have global releases.
"Hence the question of top Marathi actors asking for share in profits does not arise," Sushilkumar Agrawal, MD of Ultra India said.
Ultra has signed popular Marathi stage and film actor Bharat Jadhav for five films.
The first - 'Langda Martay Tangda' directed by Pitambar Kale is ready for release on October nine, while shooting for 'Lagin Karayche Aunda' ended yesterday, Agrawal said.
He said the third film with Bharat will go on floors in January. "Signing on a star before starting the pre-production work enables us to work on stories and scripts which suit the actor's image. Our comedies featuring Bharat are sensible ones and would be liked by both urban and rural audiences," he said.
In the last two years, Agrawal said popular films like 'Saade Maade teen' and 'De Dhakka' were extensively marketed while 'Valu' and 'Tingya', small budgeted films were appreciated by the urban audiences.
"It goes to prove that Marathi audiences appreciate good cinema. Even though revenues are quiet less compared to the Hindi film market, a good Marathi film, if marketed well, can earn gross revenue of Rs five to six crore," Agrawal said.
When contacted, Bharat Jadhav said that corporates entering Marathi film production was a welcome sign.
"Multi-film contracts enable good promotion of the film projects. Talented writers and directors get a chance to show their abilities. It is beneficial not just to the actor but to the entire film," he added.
Speaking about "Langda Martay Tangda", Bharat said he plays a simple villager who is low on confidence. "The story is about how he gets his confidence back," he said.
Referring to his second film with Ultra 'Lagin Karayche Aunda' directed by Vijay Satghare, Bharat said it was an emotional film about relationships. "Ramesh Deo, Madhu Kambikar also play pivotal roles," he said.
Bharat said it was wrong to say that he had stuck just to the comedy genre. "It's true that I started off with comedy, but over the years I had experimented with a range of characters apart from comedy," he said.
Bharat said even though he has signed a five film contract, he will not do any film that has been offered. "If I like the subject, I will go ahead," he said.
Bharat Jadhav has featured in some of the most successful Marathi plays of recent times -'Sahi re Sahi', 'All the best', 'Amchya sarkhe aamich' and 'Shrimant Damodarpant'. He started his career with 'Maharashtracya Lokdhara' dance troupe of
Shahir Sable.
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