Pune International Film Festival: ‘Potra’ Won Award For Best Marathi Film

Debutant filmmaker Shankar Arjun Dhotre’s film Potra won the award for Best Marathi Film at Edition 20 of Pune International Film Festival—which concluded on March 17. Alongside the award for best direction, Dhotre was also awarded an accolade for the best script; the protagonist Chakuli Deokar also bagged the best actor award for her performance in the film. Reportedly, Potra was Chakuli’s first film and she said that she had a great experience and is elated to have won the award.

The Pune International Film Festival is a collaborative effort of the Pune International Film Foundation, Government of Maharashtra.

The story of the film Potra is based around a teen named Geeta from rural Maharashtra. The film draws an analogy between ‘potra’ (raw sorghum) and a girl child. When raw sorghum ripens, it needs extra care. According to patriarchal ideology, that girl attaining puberty must be treated in a similar way. This concept highlights the tussle between the patriarchal mindset which will alter her life greatly and her education.

The film was previously screened in multiple film festivals including the World Film Carnival-Singapore. The director was awarded a certificate of excellence and an award for best debutant director.

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In his previous interview, the director had briefly spoken about what inspired him to make the film and elaborated on the filmmaking process as well. Dhotre was quoted saying that he was brought up in the rural environment in Solapur district, Maharashtra and had witnessed many women going through the situations that his protagonist does which led him to ideate and create the film. He further added that he decided to cast common people from the rural areas. He said that he had to host a training workshop spanning over three months.

Marathi films that were adjudged along with Potra in the Marathi Competition category were Tich Shahar Honar, Aata Vel Zaali, Niwaas, Ekda Kay Zaala. These films also had humanitarian themes at the core of their plots.

The Marathi Cinema Industry has produced films that portray the harsh realities of rural Maharashtra. Be it Nagraj Manjule’s Sairat or Rajeev Patil’s Jogwa, these films capture the essence of the rural area and the culture that prevails.