Journalism of Courage
There is a marked contrast between the pre-Independence raw landscape of the late filmmaker Rajiv Patil’s last film 72 miles: Ek Pravaas,and the domestic affluence of his upcoming release Vanshvel. Patil,who passed away on October 1 in Mumbai due to a cardiac arrest,had just finished working on the film which is slated to release on October 18.
It was the Nashik connection that brought them all together,says actor Namrata Gaikwad,who plays the role of a feisty doctor in the film Vanshvel. “The film was shot entirely in Nashik. As Rajiv sir as well as the producer of the film,Sunil Mankar are from Nashik,we felt quite at home there,” she says,adding that her ‘ajol’ or maternal grandparents’ house is in Nashik.
Sunil Mankar,the producer of the film,still finds it hard to believe that Patil has passed away. “He was much more than a director for us. He took a keen interest in all the aspects of the film. He even advised me on the film’s distribution and release,since this is my first film,” he says.
Vanshvel has been written by Datta Patil,directed by Rajiv Patil and stars fresh faces such as Manisha Kelkar,Gaikwad,Shantanu Gangane,along with well-known names like Ankush Chaudhary,Sushant Shelar and Kishore Kadam,among others.
Jogwa,a film directed by Patil,had won the National Award in 2009. His other films include Pangira,Savarkhed Ek Gaon and Sanai-Chaughade,among others. Patil’s last released film was 72 Miles: Ek Pravas,which hit the theatres last month. The film,based on a real-life story,had created a buzz as it was co-produced by Akshay Kumar. Patil’s funeral was held last Tuesday,at Amardham in Nashik.
