NFDC India’s next Marathi language film, Vees Mhanje Vees (20 Mhanje 20) to release on June 10

NFDC India’s next Marathi language film, Vees Mhanje Vees (20 Mhanje 20) to release on June 10

~The directorial debut of Uday Bhandarkar will release across Maharashtra with English subtitles~

Mumbai, May 7, 2016: The National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) next, Vees Mhanje Vees (20 Mhanje 20), a Marathi language feature, is set to release across Maharashtra on June 10.

Written and directed by the debutant filmmaker, Uday Bhandarkar, the film will release with English subtitles across the major cities of Maharashtra.

The first film from the NFDC’s slate of theatrical releases in 2016, Vees Mhanje Vees brings together an ensemble cast with Mrinmayee Godbole playing the pivotal role along with child stars  Parth Bhalerao (of Bhoothnath fame), Mrunal Jadhav (of Drishyam fame), Mihir Mule (of Jabbar Patel's Yashwantrao Chavan fame), and  Arun Nalawade (Co-producer ofShwaas, nominated for 2004 Oscars and National Award winner).

Vees Mhanje Vees is the story of a young college student, Shailaja, who returns to her native village to reopen the school that her ailing father – a retired school teacher – had started. The film spans her journey as she scuffles through all odds to keep the school running and fulfil the promise made to her father. 

Avinash Arun (of Killa fame) won the 51st Maharashtra State Award for the best cinematography for Vees Mhanje Vees. 

The NFDC spokesperson says, “NFDC has a slate of very interesting films releasing this year starting with Vees Mhanje Vees. It’s a beautiful Marathi film and we are sure that it will strike a chord with the wider audience as we are releasing the film with English subtitles.”

Talking about his debut film as a writer-director, the ad filmmaker Uday Bhandarkar says, "The subject of Vees Mhanje Vees is very close to my heart. I believe that true education is learning how to deal with the world and not just acquiring bookish knowledge. But sadly we no longer attach any importance to this kind of education. At a time when small schools in remote villages in India are facing closure simply because they do not have 20 children, Vees Mhanje Vees will bring back the focus to education in its truest sense."

He adds, “Having written a script on this subject, a friend suggested that I approach NFDC, which was producing strong content in various Indian regional languages. It came as a very pleasant surprise when I was informed that my script has been approved for production. I admire the NFDC team, which supported me through the entire process. Shooting with a cast of 20 children was tough but also a lot of fun. I will always be indebted to NFDC for giving me a break as a writer-director.”

ABOUT NFDC

The National Film Development Corporation of India is the central agency established to encourage the Good Cinema movement in the country. The primary goal of NFDC is to plan, promote and organise an integrated and efficient development of the Indian film industry and foster excellence in cinema. Over the years, NFDC has provided a wide range of services essential to the growth on Indian Cinema. NFDC (and its predecessor the Film Finance Corporation) has so far funded/produced over 300 films. These films, in various Indian languages, have been widely acclaimed and have won many National and international awards.