The recently concluded two-day Marathi Film Festival in the sub capital of the state- Nagpur drew an encouraging response from audiences and ignited meaningful conversations about the present and future of regional cinema.The festival showcased several critically acclaimed Marathi films, with filmmakers engaging directly with viewers after each screening. These interactions sparked lively discussions on storytelling, thematic depth, and cinematic techniques.
The event opened on Saturday with the screening of Ghaat, directed by Chhatrapal Ninave, set against the backdrop of guerrilla warfare in Gadchiroli’s forest regions. Director Rohan Mapuskar participated in a Q&A after his film April-May 99, and also arranged a telephonic interaction with Rajesh Mapuskar, director of Ventilator, who expressed gratitude to Nagpur audiences for their continued appreciation.Organized jointly by the Orange City Cultural Foundation (OCCF), Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Nagpur University, NFDC, Mukta Arts, Cine Montage, Saptak, and Persistent Systems, the festival also featured a prominent seminar titled Marathi Cinema – Kal, Aaj ani Udya (Marathi Cinema – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow).
Filmmakers and scholars including Shailendra Bagde, Jayant Somalkar, Chhatrapal Ninave, Vinod Kamble, and Janardan Kadam highlighted challenges such as limited theatre availability, distribution hurdles, and insufficient promotion and marketing of Marathi films. The growing influence of OTT platforms and the resulting decline in the communal theatre experience were also key concerns raised.Padma Shri Dr. Chandrashekhar Meshram thanked the citizens for their enthusiastic participation and announced plans for a Health Film Festival scheduled from January 31 to February 1, 2026.
The festival’s success was bolstered by contributions from Dr. Uday Gupte, Vilas Manekar, Nitin Sahasrabuddhe, Pramod Kalamkar, and others. The inaugural ceremony at Kavikulaguru Kalidas Auditorium, Persistent Systems, was graced by Nagpur University Vice-Chancellor Dr. Manali Kshirsagar, Dr. Meshram (OCCF President), filmmaker Vinod Kamble, and actor Janardan Kadam. Dr. Kshirsagar emphasized the economic aspects of filmmaking and underscored the vital role of public support in nurturing cinema.
