Movies
Women-focused Marathi film Stahl to get theatrical release on 7 March
MUMBAI: A Marathi film about a young girl who is dark complexioned, is short, lives in Dongargaon village in the Chandrapur District of Maharashtra,, whose parents want to marry her off, but who wants to study is a sure shot to get audiences in to cinema halls, right?
The premise is going to be tested come 7 March 2025 when Sthal (A Match) is to be released. The film’s poster was revealed on 3 March by veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar to mark the birth anniversary of Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule. Sachin is also presenting the film.
Written and directed by by Jayant Digambar Somalkar and produced by Dhun Productions (Karan Grover, Shefali Bhushan, Jayant Digambar Somalkar & Riga Malhotra), the film’s ensemble cast consists of first time actors from Dongargaon : Nandini Chikte as the protagonist Savita along with Taranath Khiratkar, Sangita Sonekar, Suyog Dhawas, Sandip Somalkar, Sandip Parkhi, Swati Ulmale, Gauri Badki and Mansi Pawar.
So far it has won a lot of accolades in the festival circuit: it premiered at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, where it won the Netpac award for the Best Asia Pacific film.. This was followed by screenings at 29 major film festivals and it has picked up 16 awards, creating a buzz in the film industry.
“This film rooted in the rural culture of Maharashtra got such an overwhelming response even from the Marathi diaspora in America, that I immediately offered my support in every way to director Jayant,” said Pilgaonkar.
“Through this film, my goal as a director is to bring out the realities faced by young women like Savita, who are almost sacrificed in the urgency for getting them ‘married off.’ The film delves into themes of patriarchy, colorism, and societal pressures,” says Jayant. “The visual aesthetic of the film reflects the stark reality of rural India, capturing the beauty of the landscape as also the harshness of everyday life. The use of the traditional folk music makes the viewer connect to the events in a more experiential way while the western, brings the characters’ dreams alive surrealistically. Through this film, I hope to spark conversations around the tradition of arranged marriage, gender inequality, and the pressing need for change.”
“I feel it is so appropriate that we are releasing Sthal on the eve of International Women’s Day,” shares producer Shefali Bhusan.” because in big and small ways the film questions patriarchy and celebrates womanhood.”
Now let’s hope the Marathi film watching audience resonates with twhat she is saying.
Hindi
Zee5 and Applause Entertainment team up for whodunnit ‘Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa’
Rajat Kapoor directs star-studded murder mystery streaming from 10 April.
MUMBAI: Zee5 is serving up another killer collaboration and this time, the murder mystery comes with a generous side of dark humour and family dysfunction. The streaming platform has partnered with Applause Entertainment and Mithya Talkies to bring Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa, a fresh, twisted whodunnit written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker and actor Rajat Kapoor. The film will stream exclusively on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
The movie reimagines the classic murder mystery genre with a contemporary, darkly comic edge. It revolves around a group of friends and family who smile, drink, and celebrate together until the silence snaps and long-buried secrets spill out. The stellar ensemble cast includes Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Waluscha De Sousa, Saurabh Shukla, Chandrachoor Rai, Neil Bhoopalam, Koel Purie, Palomi Ghosh, and Rajat Kapoor himself.
This latest offering continues the successful partnership between Zee5 and Applause Entertainment, which has previously delivered diverse hits such as Mithya, Bloody Brothers, and Jab Khuli Kitaab.
&TV Business Head of hindi Zee5 and chief channel officer Kaveri Das said, “Our collaboration with Applause Entertainment has consistently delivered distinct, high-impact storytelling. Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa is a natural progression, reinforcing our focus on genre-led content with a compelling whodunnit premise and a strong ensemble cast.”
Applause Entertainment business head for movies Sunil Chainani added, “This film adds yet another compelling layer to our slate with Rajat Kapoor’s unmistakable voice.”
Rajat Kapoor shared, “What interested me was not just the mechanics of a whodunnit, but the emotional violence that precedes physical violence. These are people who smile at each other, but there’s so much that is not said.”
The film promises razor-sharp writing, layered performances, and simmering tension, inviting viewers not just to solve the crime but to unravel the complex relationships at its heart.
If you love a good murder mystery served with wit and emotional depth, Everybody Loves Sohrab Handa looks set to be your next addictive watch. Mark your calendars, the whodunnit drops on Hindi Zee5 from 10 April.
