Marathi movie sets cash registers ringing in Dubai

One would have thought that a Marathi movie wouldn’t stand much of a chance at the box office in Dubai. The assumption is not misplaced. No Marathi movie has ever lasted more than a few days in the UAE. However, Chandramukhi, a Marathi musical love story set in the Eighties, has bucked the trend. And it has done that in the fiercely competitive Eid weekend in Dubai when as many as 13 movies were vying for eyeballs.

The period drama has been running to packed theatres in the city even two weeks after its release.

Chandramukhi’s lead actors, who were in town to promote the movie, said they are overwhelmed by the response.

“This is truly incredible. We couldn’t have asked for anything more,” said Amruta Khanvilkar, who plays the titular role in the film opposite Adninath Kothathe.

Based on Vishwas Patil’s engaging novel by the same name, Chandramukhi follows a convoluted and amorous plot which unites and entangles the diametrically opposite worlds of politics and dance.

Khanvilkar, a Lavni [traditional dancer from the Indian state of Maharashtra] falls in love with Daulat Deshmane (Kothare) a happily married politician who is tipped to become a minister.

Their extra-marital relationship could destroy his career and family.