Ever since the launch of its promo around a month back, there was good excitement created by Phuntroo. A Marathi sci-fi flick that is set in a campus, the film is an urban tale of a youngster who finds love in the most unexpected of places. The film has released over the weekend gone by and has managed to find good critical and commercial response coming its way.
Starring Madan Deodhar [Balak-Palak] and Ketaki Mategaonkar [Timepass], popular names in Marathi cinema, the film has a unique stage, setting and narrative as its strengths. Directed by Sujay Dahake, the film has marked a successful entry for producer Krishika Lulla into the world of Marathi films.
Even as the accolades are coming her and the film’s way, Krishika isn’t resting. She has already unveiled the promo of her next Marathi film, which is interestingly titled & Zara Hatke.
“This film too is based on a very interesting concept. It is a family oriented film based in today’s times and tells stories of what’s happening around us. It is a very small, beautiful and simple story,” says Krishika, who has demonstrated her strength as a producer by making cost effective and profit making films like Tanu Weds Manu Returns, NH10 and Raanjhanaa.
Starring Mrinal Kulkarni, Indraneil Sengupta, Siddharth Menon and Shivani Rangole, & Jara Hatke is produced by Krishika Lulla along with Ravi Jadhav, who are also collaborating on their first Hindi film together, Banjo. The film is being directed by Prakash Kunte.
So will there be more Marathi films for Krishika in the coming months?
“Well, I was waiting to see how these two films do and then think of making a third one,” says Krishika, “It has been a wait and watch moment for me as I first want to see results. Thankfully, Phuntroo is doing well and response to the promo of & Zara Hatke has been good too.”
The experimental streak is set to continue for Krishika as she is currently also busy with her two Hindi films – Banjo [Riteish Deshmukh, Nargis Fakhri] and Happy Bhaag Jaayegi [Abhay Deol, Diana Penty].
She is looking at stepping into regional cinema in a big way.
“Yes, I am trying to explore a lot of regional markets,” says Krishika, “Of course Eros makes a lot of films across languages and I am looking forward to picking a few more individually too. If there is a subject that is really interesting and has to be made in a certain language, I would like to produce it under Eros.”
For budding writers and directors, this is one offer that they wouldn’t wish to refuse.
