Marathi films have had great pioneers like Dadasaheb Phalke and V. Shantaram. Recently, there was a festival of films, of which we saw two. Saamna starring Nilu Phule and Dr. Shreeram Lagoo was a classic about a duel between a powerful local businessman and a principled man who hunts him down for his misdeed. The story is by Vijay Tendulkar. Directed well by Jabbar Patel.
The second was a comedy based on two couples (actually four men, two disguised as women) who are tenants in an old woman's house. Their shenanigans to keep up the pretense, and love stories developing which add to the confusion, is the plot. Hrishikesh Mukherjee had used this plot in his movie called Biwi aur Makaan, in a film earlier. It is hilarious, with good acting and direction by Sachin. Ashok Saraf (who starred in the Hum Paanch serial on TV) and Laxmikant Berde steal the show. Supriya Pilgaonkar and Ashwini Bhave play the love interests. Name of the film is Ashi hi Banva Banvi.
