Rons Bantwal
Mumbai, Aug 27: “Regional films, including Konkani movies, are coming to the forefront. Currently, Konkani cinema is fortunate. If native speakers encourage and support it, many more Konkani films will be released. Movies can only have successful runs when native speakers watch them in theatres," stated Bollywood director-producer Lawrence B D'Souza, famously known for the movie Saajan. "I should have made a movie in my mother tongue Konkani four and a half decades ago. I am keen on exploring this opportunity in the future,” he added.
Lawrence B D’Souza inaugurated Lobo Production by unveiling its logo during an ‘Inspiring Pride of Konkani Evening’ held at Shukran Lounge Banquet in Saki Naka, Andheri East, last Saturday. The event was dedicated to the late Konkani music legends Wilfy Rebimbus and Eric Ozario, with the stage named after the late ‘Sangeetha Samrat’ Henry D'Souza.
Walter Nandalike, founder and managing director of Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd, attended the event as the chief guest for the teaser, music launch, and poster release of the upcoming Konkani film Vel Ghadi. Gilbert D’Souza, managing director of Juanita Enterprises Builder and Developer, inaugurated the programme.
Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy president Joachim Stany Alvares, MCC Bank Ltd (Mangaluru) chairman and ‘Sahakara Ratna’ Anil Lobo Fermai, film producer and D'Almeida Developers president Gregory D'Almeida, senior Bombay High Court advocate and founder of P. Vas & Co. Pius Vas Omzoor, Welwin Industries Pvt Ltd managing director Vincent Mathias, and Filmfare Award-winning stunt director Sunil Rodrigues attended as guests of honour.
John Wilson Lobo, managing trustee of Lobo Foundation, producer of Vel Ghadi, and chairman of Lobo Production, along with coordinators Violet Wilson Lobo and Ruth J Lobo, and Vel Ghadi writer Roshan Nelligudde, were present on the dais.
Gregory D'Almeida released the movie’s poster, film director and screenwriter Harry Fernandes Barkur launched the teaser, and Anil Lobo unveiled the music for Vel Ghadi.
Addressing the gathering, Walter Nandalike said, "When regional language films cater to the interests of moviegoers, the excitement of the audience increases. Konkani cinema is currently gearing up to meet the expectations of film lovers, and audience support is crucial. Only then can successful films make it to the big screen."
Honours and felicitations
Several prominent individuals were felicitated for their significant contributions. Popular Konkani music composer Lawrence Saldanha was honoured with the ‘Gayan Dheer’ title. Advocate Genevieve Vas received the ‘Kanoon Bhushan’ title. Social workers and event organizers in Mumbai, Leo Fernandes (Jerimeri) and Claudy Francis Monteiro Marol, were awarded the ‘Sevechem Mothim’ and ‘Sevecho Divo’ titles, respectively.
Stany D’Souza Bela, writer and director of Bapache Puthache Navim, was honoured as a ‘Konkani Talent Luminary’, while John Wilson Lobo received the ‘Helping Angel’ award. Banquet Food director Lancy Barboza (Loretto), social worker Tonse Sanjeev Poojary, and action effects specialist Naveen Lobo Modankap were also felicitated.
Prominent personalities including advocate Genevieve P Vas, entrepreneurs Alwyn Sequeira Gardadi, Donald J Baptist, and Premila V Mathias, stage actor Francis Fernandes Cascia, Colin Martis, Liston Coutinho, Kelvin Joshua, Antony Sequeira (Arcadia), Ivan Rebello, Eric Carvalho, Reginald Santmayor Vasai, Dayan D'Souza Virar, Philip Mark Frank Agrar, Susan Lawrence Coelho, Claudy Monteiro Marol, and Juliet Pereira were present.
Reshma Anil D'Almeida, Josephine Rodrigues, and Reema Rasquinha led the prayer. John Wilson Lobo welcomed the gathering, and Roshan Nelligudde delivered the introductory address. Flora D'Souza Jerimeri and Cyril Castelino compered the programme, while William D'Souza Vakola proposed the vote of thanks.