Actor-filmmaker Mahesh Manjrekar has started shooting for his next Marathi film, a crime thriller. The first shooting schedule for the yet-untitled venture began on 28 October.
The film marks the foray of NH Studioz, which has been associated with Hindi films like Pink (2016), Shivaay (2016), Begum Jaan (2017) and Omerta (2018), into regional cinema.
Vijay Shinde, who has been part of the Marathi film industry for over 20 years, is co-producing the film under his banner 99 Productions.
The project could be one of the more anticipated Marathi films of 2021 given the people associated with it. Manjrekar, who started his career as director with the hard-core crime thriller Vaastav (1999), hasn't made such a film since his shift to Marathi cinema. His previous film was a biopic of legendary Marathi litterateur, actor, music composer and humorist PL Deshpande. The film was split into two parts titled Bhaai: Vyakti Kee Valli — Purvardha (2019) and Bhaai: Vyakti Kee Valli — Uttarardh (2019).
Speaking about his new project, Manjrekar said he had been thinking of it for long. "The story was already built up in my head and when I met long-time friend Vijay Shinde I narrated it to him," he said. "Immediately, Vijay roped in Narendraji [Hirawat], knowing his inclination towards content-driven films. With 99 Productions and NH Studioz, we have the most appropriate synergy backing the film. I am deeply humbled by this and thank them for keeping faith in me and the project.”
Commenting on their entry into Marathi cinema, Shreyans Hirawat, director of NH Studioz, said, “We at NH Studioz believe in good content and have been waiting patiently for the right script. We feel blessed to launch our first Marathi project with an industry veteran like Mahesh Manjrekar. We were instantly hooked to the story when Maheshji narrated it and wanted to be associated with the film. We are glad to add this new chapter to our journey as we complete 40 years in the industry."
Mahesh Manjrekar’s production house Mahesh Manjrekar Movies is the line producer for the film. The cast and other details about the plot are currently under wraps.