Marathi cinema goes global - but can it step outside of Bollywood's shadow?

Marathi cinema, the film industry based in Maharashtra, India, has a rich history dating back to 1913 when India's first silent feature film, Raja Harishchandra, was made with Marathi language title cards. Despite this early start, Marathi films gradually lost prominence as Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry, grew to dominate the Indian cinema landscape. Bollywood's widespread popularity overshadowed regional cinemas, including Marathi films, which struggled to find a large audience. However, in recent years, Marathi cinema has been experiencing a revival, gaining recognition both in India and internationally for its unique storytelling and bold themes.

One notable example of this resurgence is the Marathi film Sthal, which offers a stark and honest portrayal of arranged marriages in India. Unlike many Bollywood films that romanticize arranged marriages with songs and dances, Sthal presents a more realistic and sometimes harsh view. The film begins with an unusual twist where the groom, rather than the bride, is subjected to the pressures and scrutiny of arranged marriage. However, this is revealed to be a dream of the protagonist, Savita, whose real life reflects the difficult realities faced by many Indian women caught in this tradition. Sthal is part of a growing wave of Marathi films that are gaining critical acclaim for their willingness to explore complex social issues.

In addition to Sthal, other Marathi films have made significant strides on the global stage. Sabar Bonda, a semi-personal rural romance between two men, made history as the first Marathi film to be screened at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize. This film has been praised for its daring and tender storytelling, breaking new ground in Indian cinema by addressing LGBTQ themes. Marathi cinema's recent successes also include films like Sairat, which was featured at the Berlinale in 2016, and The Disciple, which was the first Indian film to screen at the Venice Film Festival since 2001 and won the best screenplay award. These films highlight the diversity and depth of Marathi cinema, which often tackles subjects that are overlooked by mainstream Bollywood productions.