Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Aug 23: The highly anticipated Konkani movie 'Bapache Putache Navim' (BPN) premiered in Mumbai, receiving a housefull response across various theatres in Brihanmumbai on Sunday morning.
The premiere event and screening launch took place on Saturday evening at the Shukran Lounge Banquet in Saki Naka, Andheri East. The event, held on a stage named after the late 'Sangeeth Samrat' Henry D'Souza, also marked the 34th Konkani Manyata Divas, celebrated as an "Inspiring Self-respecting Konkani Evening."
The movie is produced by Michael D'Souza (Dubai) under the banners of Daijiworld Films and Vision Konkani, and directed by young writer and director Stany Bela.
Inaugurating the Mumbai screening, Bombay High Court advocate and partner at P Vas & Co Genevieve P Vas lauded the film for upholding Konkani language, culture, and art in the metropolitan city. "Movies play a vital role in awakening linguistic pride. It is commendable to see Konkani cine-lovers gathering to celebrate this linguistic and cultural glory. Movie screenings act as a bridge to keep our mother tongue's heritage alive, and I hope this movie makes history by winning the hearts of the audience," she said.
The event was dedicated to the late legendary Konkani musicians Wilfy Rebimbus and Eric Ozario.
Changing times and cinema
Addressing the gathering, managing director of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd Walter Nandalike emphasized the need to adapt to changing times. "Our mindsets and lifestyles must evolve. The current Gen Z and Alpha generations require movies that appeal to them, which calls for innovative and distinct storytelling. Investing in regional movies is driven by the greatness of linguistic pride rather than the expectation of revenue. Only when the profits from one movie are reinvested into creating another, the project becomes truly fruitful. We must not let our mother tongue die; it is our pride and identity," he remarked.
The event saw the presence of several prominent dignitaries. Chairman of MCC Bank Ltd Anil Lobo Fermai attended as the chief guest. Guests of honour included Bollywood filmmaker Lawrence B D'Souza, managing director of AJS Group of Business Alwyn Sequeira Gardadi, managing director of Falcon Offshore Services Pvt Ltd Ronald J Baptist, president of Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy Joachim Stany Alvares, Filmfare award-winning stunt director Sunil Rodrigues, and chairman of Lobo Foundation John Wilson Lobo.
Dignitaries in attendance
The gathering also included senior musician Lawrence Saldanha, Francis Fernandes Cascia, advocate Pius Vas, CCCI founder chairman Vincent Mathias, film directors Harry Fernandes Barkur and Gregory D'Almeida, John Wilson Lobo Thane, Premila V Mathias, Gilbert Simon D'Souza, Claudy Monteiro Marol, Juliet Pereira, Violet Wilson Lobo, Ruth Wilson Fernandes, Philip Mark Frank Agrar, Roshan Nelligudde, Naveen Lobo Modankap, Tara R Bantwal, Lancy Barboza, Susan Lawrence Coelho, Antony Sequeira, Dayan D'Souza Virar, Ivan Rebello Barkur, and Reginald Santumayor.
The programme commenced with a devotional song rendered by Josephine Gilbert Rodrigues, Reema Rasquinha, and Reshma Anil D'Almeida. 'BPN' writer and director Stany Bela delivered the introductory address and welcomed the gathering. Leo Fernandes Jerimeri proposed the vote of thanks.
The successful simultaneous screenings on Sunday morning were spearheaded by Mumbai event organisers Leo Fernandes (Jerimeri) and Claudy Francis Monteiro Marol. Movie organisers including William D'Souza Vakola, Janet D'Souza, Vijay Louis, Everest Pais, Vinod Pinto, Richard Fernandes, Sunitha A Soares, Hilda Victor Mathias, James Prakash D'Sa, and John Rodrigues were present and thanked Walter Nandalike and Stany Bela for their efforts.