Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Media Release
Mangaluru, Dec 20: Mandd Sobhann's Konkani movie ‘Osmitay’ is set to reach the significant milestone of 100 days on December 23. The centenary celebrations will take place at Bejai Bharat Cinema at 4 pm on that day. ‘Osmitay’ will set a record as the first movie to complete a century in Karnataka's Konkani film industry. Albert W D’Souza, the chairman of Aldell Education Trust, a Mumbai-based businessman and education stalwart, will be the chief guest and will felicitate the cast and crew members of cinema.
Produced by Mandd Sobhann, a leading cultural organization in the Guinness World Records for Konkani, with the mission of promoting the Konkani film movement, the film 'Osmitay’ hit the screens on September 15. It has been released in various regions, including Mangaluru, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Goa, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Kerala, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America, Germany, and more. It has been exhibited in more than 490 screenings in different regions of 14 countries and participated in the South Asian Film Festival in Washington DC.
Moving along the thread of the Konkani people's search for identity, the story depicts migration from Goa and the visual splendour of Konkani's rich folk heritage with a tender love story. Written by Eric Ozario, with screenplay and dialogue by Joel Pereira, the film is directed by Vilas Ratnakar Kshatriya. Cinematography is by Balaraja Gowda, and editing is by Mavin Joel Pinto. Market Bird and Comedy Company are in charge of promotion and have worked hard to bring this film to the people through innovative concepts.
Alwyn Fernandes, Cajitan Dias, Joel Pereira, and Eric Ozario composed the melodious music for the six songs, featuring famous singers like Nihal Tauro, Joyce Ozario, Dealle D'Souza, Vaibhav Kamat and others. Denis Monteiro, Ashwin D’Costa, Wencita Dias, Prince Jacob, Saish Panandikar, Gaurish Vernekar, Stany Alvares, Nellu Permannur, Sunil Siddi, Lulu Fortes, Naveen Lobo and other famous artistes from Goa and Mangaluru are playing important roles. About 500 other artistes appeared in front of the camera for the first time. Mandd Sobhann has produced this film with the cooperation of people and donors, and president Louis J Pinto is in-charge of production and screenings.
Addressing media at the press club on Wednesday December 20, gurkar of Mandd Sobhann, Eric Ozario said, “There was misconception that Konkani cinema is a failure. People will not come to watch Konkani movies. ‘Osmitay’ has proved it wrong as it on the verge of completing 100 days in theatres. When good content is offered, the audience will automatically come to watch the movie.”
Louis J Pinto, Joel Pereira, Naveen Lobo and Ashwin D’Costa were present.