Marathi cinema has earned global recognition as Dashavatar, a mythological drama starring Mahesh Manjrekar and Dilip Prabhavalkar, has been shortlisted among 150 feature films for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards. The film is directed by Subodh Khanolkar.
Director Khanolkar has described Dashavatar as a deeply personal project rooted in his childhood memories. Growing up in the Konkan region, he witnessed traditional Dashavatari performances, the richness of nature, and the uniqueness of local culture — elements he has woven into the film. He said the movie celebrates India’s diverse landscapes, folk arts and traditions, and expressed hope that it would resonate with audiences not just in India but across the world.
Set in Maharashtra’s Konkan region, the story follows Babuli Mestri, played by Dilip Prabhavalkar, a veteran Dashavatari performer dedicated to preserving the sacred folk theatre tradition. Despite losing his eyesight, Babuli continues to perform with unwavering faith. During a final Mahashivratri performance, the boundary between art and divinity blurs as he appears to embody the fierce Rudra avatar, triggering a powerful emotional and spiritual journey exploring faith, duty and destiny.
Produced by Ocean Film Company and Ocean Art House, the film also stars Bharat Jadhav, Abhinay Berde, Priyadarshini Indalkar, Siddharth Menon, Aarti Wadagbalkar, Ravi Kale and Vijay Kenkre.
Speaking about his role, Dilip Prabhavalkar said portraying Babuli Mestri was one of the most profound experiences of his career, requiring complete emotional surrender. He credited Subodh Khanolkar’s sensitive direction for bringing depth and purpose to every moment.
Dashavatar is currently streaming on OTT platforms.
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