BEST OF MARATHI CINEMA HONORED AT THE JIO FILMFARE AWARDS MARATHI 2017

~Nana Patekar and Rinku Rajguru won the award for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively ~

~Sairat won the Best Film award ~

The Jio Filmfare Awards Marathi 2017 was a memorable occasion as it celebrated and acknowledged the best of Marathi cinema last evening at NESCO Grounds, Mumbai. One of the most anticipated award ceremonies of the year rolled out its red carpet for the who's who of the Marathi film fraternity. The evening witnessed the best and the most celebrated artists of the industry take home the coveted Black Lady and enthrall the audiences with power-packed performances. Popular Marathi channel, Colors Marathi will televise the awards ceremony.

The third edition of Jio Filmfare Awards Marathi saw the crème de la crème of the Marathi film industry walk down the red carpet. Actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, Ashok Saraf, Akash Thosar, Shreyas Talpade, Sonalee Kulkarni, Rajesh Mapuskar, Nana Patekar, Ashutosh Gowariker, Sai Tamhankar, Rohini Hattangadi and singer Chinmayi Sripada and many more graced the red carpet with their presence. Bollywood beauties like Deepika Padukone, Aditi Rao Hydari, Madhuri Dixit Nene joined in the celebration.

Renowned actors, Pushkar Shrotri and Pushkaraj Chirputkar entertained the crowd with their witty and humorous banter as hosts. The evening honored the finest talent from the spectrum of Marathi cinema, right from actors to technicians. Nana Patekar was presented with ‘Best Actor’ in a Leading Role (Male) category by none other than beautiful actress Madhuri Dixit Nene for his outstanding performance for the movie Natsamrat. Rinku Rajguru bagged the awards for ‘Best Actor’ in a Leading Role (Female) award as well as ‘Best Debutant’ in Leading Role (Female) for the film Sairat. Nagraj Majule’s Sairat swept the third edition of Jio Filmfare Awards Marathi with a total of 11 wins including Best Film and Best Director award.

Actress Sonalee Kulkarni left the audience awe-struck with her fusion dance performance on Lavni and Bollywood numbers. The star-studded evening also witnessed spectacular performances by Bhargavi Chirmule, Manasi Naik, Sanskruti Balgude, Gashmeer Mahajani & Girija Joshi, Abhinay Berde & Mrinmayi Godbole, Vaibhav Tatwawadi & Pooja Sawant, Mayuresh Pem & Rutuja Shinde, Ankush Chaudhari and Tejaswini Pandit. The night also witnessed a soulful musical act by singers Jasraj Jayant Joshi and Priyanka Barve.

On the occasion of the third edition of Jio Filmfare Awards Marathi 2017, Editor of Filmfare, Mr. Jitesh Pillai commented, "Filmfare has always encouraged and honored good talent and cinema. Marathi cinema has time and again proved how there are no boundaries when it comes to art. In the recent years, it has been the perfect blend of commerce and arts. It has not only prospered in mainstream cinema but also in experimental cinema. We are glad to hold yet another incredible year of Marathi Filmfare Awards and honor the talented artists.”

Commenting on the occasion JIO spokesperson said, “It was a pleasure to present the JIO Filmfare Awards Marathi 2017. This association has helped Jio to showcase the cinematic excellence of Marathi film industry in a variety of digital ways. Filmfare’s efforts towards honoring and recognizing regional film-making and talent is consistent with Jio’s mission to celebrate the diversity and richness of Indian cinema. Jio is bringing transformational changes in the Indian digital services space to enable a Digital Life for 1.3 billion Indians and presenting such industry-leading events to audiences in new and varied digital ways complements this.”

Sharing the excitement on the growth of the Marathi Film Fraternity, said, Nikhil Sane – Senior Vice President, Colors Marathi and Viacom18 Motion Pictures

 commented

“We at Colors Marathi are delighted to be partnering with the Filmfare Awards year on year, with the sole objective of honoring and encouraging the best and the brightest talent of our fraternity. Our association began on the foundation of mutual trust and commitment to acknowledge the best such that the Marathi film fraternity thrives and benefits from that. We are certain that the energy, vibrancy and the glamour put together will make the Filmfare Awards definitely a can’t-miss event for the television viewers.”

The title sponsor of the show was Jio in association with Dazller Eterna and Dwarkadas Shamkumar. The event was powered by Reliance Digital and Herbs & More with Telecast Partner as Colors Marathi. The other partners include: Jewellery Partner - Nakshatra World; Online Jewellery Partner - Jewelsouk.com; Radio Partner - Radio Mirchi; Multiplex Partner - Orienta Cine Adverting; Trophy Partner - The Award Gallery; Venue Partner - NESCO; Show Direction - Manasi Ingale for Surel Creations; Event Management - Netsurf Entertainment; Acts Choreographed and Directed by - Subhash Nakashe for Nakaashe Entertainment; Scripting - Ashish Pathre.

About Filmfare Awards

Established on March 21, 1953, Filmfare Awards is one of India's oldest and most distinguished film institutions and has spanned generations of exceptional talent. From a small ceremony which featured just five awards, the Filmfare Awards function has evolved into one of India's most spectacular events, where the best of Indian cinema perform, host and do what they do best - entertain. The Black Lady is something every cinephile aspires to take home.

About Worldwide Media:

Worldwide Media is a part of the Times Group, one of India’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates, and publishes Filmfare – India’s No 1 entertainment magazine. Femina – India’s largest women’s magazine, BBC TopGear, HELLO!, BBC GoodHomes, GRAZIA, Lonely Planet Magazine India, Home Trends and BBC Knowledge are other exciting titles from Worldwide Media.