Nandini Chikte

Veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar is presenting 'Sthal', an award-winning Marathi film by Jayant Digambar Somalkar that explores arranged marriages in rural India. The film, which premiered at TIFF, stars first-time actors from the director's village and addresses issues like patriarchy and colorism. It has won numerous accolades and has been praised by Jaya Bachchan.

The film shot in Jayant’s native village, Dongargaon in the Chandrapur District of Maharashtra, features an ensemble cast of first-time actors from the village starring nandini chikte as the protagonist Savita.

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2024 will be screen Marathi films and documentaries, showcasing moving narratives. Highlights included Jayant Digambar Somalkar's 'Sthal,' about a girl's pursuit of education, and Sumanth Bhat's 'Mithya,' following an eleven-year-old boy coping with loss. Sumira Roy's 'Bhangaar' depicted an elderly couple's quest for peace in Mumbai.

Indian director Jayant Digambar Somalkar's debut film, "Sthal," explores the patriarchal customs of arranged marriages in rural India. The film, set in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, follows the journey of a young girl named Savita and sheds light on how women are treated as commodities. Somalkar believes that patriarchy is a universal theme and hopes the film will resonate with audiences worldwide. "Sthal" is the only Indian film selected for the Toronto International Film Festival's Discovery Programme. The director drew inspiration from his personal experiences and wanted to create an authentic and realistic portrayal of rural India.

"Sthal" explores the tradition of arranged marriages in rural India, where the relentless pursuit of a girl's marriage overshadows the very sustenance of life. It is narrated from the perspective of a young girl, Savita, highlighting patriarchy, colorism and social evil deeply rooted in society.