Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Nov 22: After glamorous premiere shows in Gulf countries recently, Konkani movie ‘Benddkar’ witnessed successful first show at Big Cinemas in the city, on Friday, November 22.
The first show in Mangaluru had a brief release programme organized by producers. Fr Andrew Leo D’Souza, parish priest, St Lawrence Church Bondel, led prayer and invoked blessings on the movie team and shows.
Fr Cyprian Pinto, parish priest, Vamanjoor Church, J R Lobo, former MLA, Roy Castelino, former president, Konkani Sahitya Academy, Balakrishna Shetty, proprietor, Big Cinemas, Rohan Monteiro, managing director, Rohan Corporation, Sr Jyothi, Harry Fernandes, director, Stany Alvares and Dolphie Rebello, producers, Wilson Kateel, lyricist, Patson Periera, music director, Louis Pinto, president, Mandd Sobhaan, Varsha Usgaonkar and Deepak Paladka were present on the dais.
Wishing success to movie, J R Lobo said, “’Benddkar’ has already got huge appreciation in UAE. The team got good marks from the Konkani movie lovers who are residing abroad. The title itself says the movie is based on the life of a brass band artiste. Every Konkani person knows ‘Benddkar’ very well. He is part of Konkani culture. I think the movie also reflects our culture and life style along with the story of ‘Benddkar’. I congratulate the entire movie team for their first show in India. Wishing them great success in future also.”
Speaking in occasion Roy Castelino said, “The word ‘Bendkaar’ is common in Konkani world. There was a time when without ‘Benddkar’, no programmes were taking place in the Konkani community. But now time has changed. Brass band and its artistes are becoming a rarity in our society. So I think the subject ‘Benddkaar’ is apt for now. At the same time actor and organizer Stany Alvares has become a movie producer through this movie. ‘Benddkar’ is his first venture as producer. I congratulate him and wish him all the success for his upcoming projects.”
On behalf of movie team Varsha Usgaonkar expressed her feelings about Benddkar. She said, “I am happy to say that I am a part of this movie. All actors did justice for their roles and gave their best in the movie. On behalf of all artistes, I thank the producer and director for this opportunity.”
Stany Alvares rendered vote of thanks.
After the stage programme the movie was premiered to a houseful audience. The movie will be releasing in Israel on November 29 and in Mumbai on December 8. The movie is also dubbed in Goan Konkani dialect.
Story, screenplay, dialogues and direction of ‘Benddkar’ is done by Harry Fernandes, whose dream is to give importance to and highlight those ‘Benddkars’ whom the current generation has completely forgotten with the invasion of modern day DJs. He is supported by producers Stany Alvares, Dolphi Rebello, Prince Jacob and Harry himself.
The full cast of Konkani movie ‘Benddkar’ includes Varsha Usgaonkar, Goa’s Prince Jacob, John D’Silva, Kevin D’Mello and Naisa Lotlekar with Mangaluru’s well-known star Stany Alvares, Dubai’s stars Deepak Paladka, Joseph Mathias, Sunitha Menezes and Claud D’Leema with Cyril Castelino, Sneha Metha, Sujatha Andrade, Alwyn Andrade, Manu Bantwal, Nikita Peris, Dolphy D’Souza, Ivan Furtado, Hannah Furtado, Archibald Furtado, Salomi Alvares, and Floyd Cascia.