Foot prints

After having inspired three generations with his out-of- the-box socio-political plays, simple yet apt language and uncomplicated but to-the-point presentations, actor...

After having inspired three generations with his out-of- the-box socio-political plays, simple yet apt language and uncomplicated but to-the-point presentations, actor, director, playwright Satish Alekar will now inspire generations to come too. And the credit of documenting his theatrical life goes to filmmaker Atul Pethe.

Natakkar Satish Alekar Playwright Satish Alekar, a film by Pethe unveils the theatrical journey of Alekar and the effect of surroundings, social and political changes on the playwright. The first screening of the film took place at Sudarshan Rangmanch on Thursday. Throwing light on the process of film making Alekar says, 8220;I must say I am overwhelmed. When Atul asked me about this project, it took me a while before saying yes. But even if the first nod was a reluctant one, the filmmaking process of one-and-a-half year was exhilarating. I am happy that through camera as a medium, the socio-political changes in the society and surroundings as seen by me are now recorded.8221;

Atul Pethe adds explaining his viewpoint, 8220;Alekar is a local writer. There is no such concept as a global writer. The greatest writers in the world have always portrayed what happened in and around them. It was the approach that was important. And Alekar has this approach. His place in the Marathi theatre industry is irreplaceable. I have grown up witnessing Alekar8217;s plays. In fact I have acted in his plays- Atireki and Pralay. I personally feel that Alekar took Marathi theatre one-step ahead of Tendulkar8217;s. It was after watching Mahanirvan that I was shattered. This play by Alekar changed my perspective towards theatre.8221;

The result of this shattering experience that took place when Pethe was 13, is the film that in 90 minutes takes the audiences on a journey featuring countless facets of Alekar, the playwright. The film includes doyens from the Marathi rangabhoomi like Mohan Agashe, Samar Nakhate, Ramesh Medhekar, Chandrakant Kale and so on giving their viewpoints on Alekar as a playwright and the complex yet realistic process of portraying Alekar8217;s thoughts on the stage as actors or colleagues. The film unfolds Alekar8217;s journey as a playwright against a changing backdrop of the post independence India, Pune and the Marathi theatre.

8220;And this is important. We, Indians are a theatre loving community but unfortunately, documentation has never been a priority in our theatre. This film is shot with a motive to create documentation and to archive the thought process of an effective theatre personality. Drama is a live medium and it dies after the play is over. But with camera in front, we can preserve the themes, the acting skills, the culture and the traditions of the glorious moments of the theatre industry so that it inspires generations to come and also tells them what their ancestors were,8221; adds Pethe.