Content driven regional films are no longer isolated by language or territory. Marathi Cinema, for instance has become synonymous with good content cinema in recent times and hence the initiatives to reach a wider audience, too are becoming more innovative and inclusive in nature.

While the trailer of the film was launched in a school among several teachers and students, a new initiative called ‘FilmShala’, which includes a set of competitions on film appreciation writing was announced and received with a lot of enthusiasm.

Pipsi, a Marathi film, that traces the adventures of two innocent kids is winning hearts already since the film has been part of many National and International film festivals where it has won a lot of acclaim.

Now as the film is closer to release, the makers have come up with an innovative idea to increase the reach of the film amongst children alongwith adding to the film viewing experience of every child. While the trailer of the film was launched in a school among several teachers and students, a new initiative called ‘FilmShala’, which includes a set of competitions on film appreciation writing was announced and received with a lot of enthusiasm.

Through ‘FilmShala’, the film will be screened for students all across Maharashtra in theatres close to their schools. Interestingly, these students would also have access to a resource base created by the makers of the film on how to review a film. The competition will be judged by accomplished actors Sachin Pilgaonkar and Divya Dutta and former CFSI committee member and writer, Kamlakar Nadkarni. The winners would be given exciting prizes including telescopes and digital video cameras as a token of encouragement.

 

Said Vidhi Kasliwal of Landmarc Films, “During the MAMI screenings and the trailer launch event, we realized how kids from varying backgrounds were connecting with the film and picking up on its varied layers. So we thought why not introduce them to such cinema on a regular basis and to cultivate and enrich their film-viewing habits. After all, these kids are the future of our country and surely many of them would want to make careers in films later. Cinema is a very powerful medium, yet unexplored in education. The initiative would not stop with Pipsi and every year we would want to make at least one film keeping children in mind. This is our way of connecting theatres to classrooms!”

Looking at their enthusiasm and heart-warming purpose, there are several NGOs and other philanthropic partners coming on board to join this initiative.

Set in rural Maharashtra, Pipsi gives us a glimpse of the ways of the world through the eyes of the two children. It is the story of eight-year old Chaani (played by Maithili Patwardhan), who embarks on a journey of hope to save her ailing mother with the unflinching belief that the fate of her mother is tied to the life of a fish she names ‘Pipsi’ and her best friend, Balu (played by Sahil Joshi) who is her perfect foil and constant support in her journey.

Produced by Vidhi Kasliwal, Written by Saurabh Bhave and Directed by Rohan Deshpande, Pipsi is slated to release on 27th July and we are sure this endearing story will be loved by children and their families alike.