The late filmmaker Sumitra Bhave's first solo directorial venture, Dithee (2021), which also became her last project, is set to be released directly on the SonyLIV platform on 21 May.
Featuring an ensemble cast that includes Kishore Kadam, Mohan Agashe, Uttara Baokar, Girish Kulkarni and Dilip Prabhavalkar, the film tackles the weighty issue of grief and the colossal struggle to overcome it.
Sumitra Bhave (1943–2021): Filmmaker who continued her social work through cinema
The trailer revolves around Ramji (Kadam), a middle-aged villager, who has lost his grown son. Left with a pregnant daughter-in-law, the man struggles to stay afloat amidst his grief.
Even as Ramji attempts to come to terms with his fate, turning to religion and immersing himself in work, his fellow villagers find it hard to cope with his absence from day-to-day life as he is their go-to man for any problem.
A multiple National award-winner, Bhave died on 19 April 2021, aged 79. The filmmaker had established her own signature style of exploring philosophy, psychology and social mores through the prism of human existence. Forming a team with Sunil Sukthankar, she won awards with films such as Doghi (1995), Devrai (2004), Astu! (2014) and Kaasav (2017).
Sumitra Bhave: Our films have won several awards, but most Indians haven't seen any of them
Dithee is a rarity as it was helmed by Bhave alone. The film will also be the late director's first digital release. The cast features several regulars of her films, including Agashe who produced the film.
Check out the trailer below and let us know if you are keen to watch this film.