
DEVRAI to release all over Maharashtra
By Manisha Deshpande
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After SHWAAS, it is now Sumitra Bhave's award-winning film, DEVRAI, which seems destined to go places. The film which has made the rounds of the festival circuit the world over, and has been immensely appreciated at all its screenings, will be released in seven theatres across Mumbai on March 11, to be followed by a release all over Maharashtra.
DEVRAI tells the story of a neglected victim of schizophrenia, (played by Atul Kulkarni) whose past unfolds through the fragmented memories of his closed ones. His process of recovery begins when his own struggle and the struggle and compassion of his caretakers once again give a new meaning to his life.
Incidentally, it will be the first Marathi film to be released all over Maharashtra. 'For some reason, Marathi film distributors have confined the release of Marathi films only to the metros. We decided to take the film to the interiors of Nasik, Pune, Jalgaon and other places, despite the paucity of funds because we want everyone to see the film. Moreover, we got a record number of queries for the film from exhibitors all over Maharashtra,' says Subhash Chheda of Rudraa Entertainment, the distributor and presenter of the film. The profits from the release of this film will be going to the Schizophrenia Awareness Association.
Rudraa Entertainment is also planning to sub-title the film in five international languages, besides the already sub-titled version in English. 'We got an excellent response for the film in the 22 screenings that we held in US and Canada, which is why we have now decided to sub-title it in German, Spanish, French and two other international languages,' Chheda reveals.
It may be recalled that DEVRAI recently swept the Marathi category at the Star Screen Awards, picking up all the four awards for best film, best director, best actor and best actress. The film was also awarded the Technical Excellence Award at the International Film Festival of Kerala 2004 and the Special Jury Award at the Mumbai International Film Festival in international competition for Atul Kulkarni's outstanding performance in the film.
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