News: Shodhan Prasad

Pics: Sonu Bantwal & Pithu Bantwal

Dubai, Sep 21: The audio and tickets of much awaited Konkani movie ‘Benddkar’ were released at Winny’s Restaurant Ballroom, Karama, on Friday, September 20 in a dinner function hosted by the makers of the movie.

J R Lobo, former MLA of Mangaluru, was the chief guest along with Elias Sanctis of Rachana, singer-actor Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight, Tulu movie producer Ronald Martis of Blue Diamond, Dayan D’Souza of Daiji Ranghmanch, Nelson Rodrigues, producer Stany Alvares of Mand Sobhan and Shodhan Prasad of Sandhya Creations overseas movie distribution.

Shodhan Prasad welcomed the audience and briefed on the inspirational making of the social film ‘Benddkar’ and its subject. He then introduced compere Uttam Menezes who is the all-time lucky charm for Konkani and Tulu movie inaugurals in Dubai.

Uttam invited all the guests to the dais while producer Stany Alvares greeted them with flowers. Uttam highlighted on the subject and requested audience to always support their mother tongue and specially Konkani movies and dramas whenever shows are arranged in UAE. In today’s trend, dramas in Tulu are diminishing while films are increasing in the making and in similar situation are the Konkani movies. But support from Konkani people should also increase in order to support the producers, he stressed.

Soon after the prayer led by Uttam and followed by the audience, all the guests led by J R Lobo lighted the traditional lamp and inaugurated the function. In the absence of producer-director Harry Fernandes, Stany Alvares conveyed Harry’s wishes and greetings to the audience. Actors from Dubai who were part of the ‘Benddkar’ team namely Deepak Paladka, Sunitha Menezes, Joseph Mathias, Claud Dleema and Arun Almeida were present. Deepak and Sunitha shared their views about the making of the film and their roles in general and thanked the producers for giving them the opportunity. Deepak Paladka in addition is also coordinating with the digital marketing of ‘Benddkar’.

Producer-actor Stany Alvares spoke on the event and mentioned that his team has put full efforts in making ‘Benddkar’ a good film but it is always left to the audience to prove the results. If everyone supports then definitely it will boost the producers in not only presenting more films in Konkani but also will be a boost to the mother tongue, he said. He also shared some of the lighter moments of his earlier visits to Dubai and said that Konkani people were always supportive and he is thankful to them. He also said, “There may be some discrepancies in whatever our own people present, be it a drama or film, but highlighting these discrepancies in social media is not a wise idea. Instead speak to those concerned and may be they will rectify those things within the personal stage without making it public,” he said.

Trailers were screened on the projector and all the audience appreciated it with huge round of applause. One of the best songs composed by Patson Pereira was played which was very much liked by the audience.

The unveiling of the audio CD was done by J R Lobo along with other guests and the CD was distributed to all the guests and audience. While the release was going on, Uttam announced the names of the singers and the lyricist. Stany Alvares introduced some of the guests who came all the way from India and thanked them for their unconditional support every time. Uttam later introduced and welcomed actresses Jennifer and Navyatha who have acted in Konkani and Tulu Films respectively and who joined to support ‘Benddkar’ Dubai release. Uttam kept on saying that ‘your love should always be
unconditional’.

J R Lobo spoke on the occasion and thanked for inviting him. He said that he feels his visit to Dubai like home away from home. He said that yesterday he attended a Konkani drama in Abu Dhabi and today this programme again in Konkani which gave him a feast of his native. He said that ‘Benddkar’ movie gives him a feeling of a story of those artistes of yesteryears whose livelyhood was art. Be it a Yakshagana or any other form of art like ‘Benddkar’, behind the artiste is an untold story through which a journey of their family is connected. They may have financial difficulties, but still were promoting the art and being part of it which is important to understand. He then shared some of his thinking while he was the MLA. He said in Pilikula Mangaluru there is a place called Band Stand and he was always thinking ‘why not have Benddkars every Saturday and Sunday to play there and present their art’. In his final note he mentioned, “Our support is very much essential to promote and save our mother tongue and this is not just an effort of the producers and directors of Konkani film but is the duty of all audience as well. It is not only saving our language but also our maintaining our tradition which one should remember.” He wished all actors, director and producers for making a film like ‘Benddkar’.

Elias Sanctis also spoke on the occasion and his speech was really full of humour fully applauded by the audience.

Joseph Mathias, a philanthropist, actor, singer and a well-wisher of most of the Karnataka based programmes in Dubai and who is also an actor in ‘Benddkar’, spoke on the occasion. He shared his emotions and said that our own people are not coming forward to support our mother tongue which otherwise they should do in return. He saluted all those who were present and said “You are the true supporters and contributors and please always come forward and support for any Konkani programmes arranged.” He said that for the past 26 years he is in UAE and has seen those days where Konkani speaking people were initially very few which later slowly developed giving birth to 36 plus associations of Konkani. He said he was happy for that and thanked all those who took up initiative in the formation of these associations. But now he said, that trend is diminishing. “People are not supportive when Konkani is concerned. Everyone supports their mother tongue be it Tulu, Kannada or Malayalam. But our own people are not supportive but keep criticizing which reflects in the society we live,” he said. In his final note, he requested all those who were present to support ‘Benddkar’ and said that, while producers of Konkani movies have their current jobs and still come out to support our mother tongue, it should be our duty to support them in their noble cause.

Dayan of Daiji Dubai Ranghmanch also spoke on the occasion and shared some of his good thoughts. He said he is happy that producers and directors like Harry Fernandes are ready to accept the suggestions of the public to present better films to our own public and this will create more quality movies in Konkani in the future. He appreciated the music, songs and making of the movie and wished all the best.

Followed was the ticket release programme by all the guests on the dais who inaugurated the ticket books and distributed the same. The audience flocked in and reserved their books for themselves and for their near and dear ones.

Well-wishers and special guests present were invited on to the stage and honoured with flowers. At the same time, blessings from the priests back home in Mangaluru were shown on the projector screen.

Shodhan Prasad rendered the vote of thanks and individually thanked chief guest J R Lobo and other main guests, compere Uttam, sound Lancy D’Souza, DJ Preetam Bantwal, Santhan of Winny’s Restaurant and all the audience for supporting and making the event a special one. On behalf of team ‘Benddkar’, he thanked one and all including media for publishing updates of ‘Benddkar’ in their websites.

‘Benddkar’ story, screenplay, dialogues and direction is by Harry Fernandes whose dream is to give importance to and highlight those ‘Benddkars’ whom the current generation has completely forgotten with the invasion of modern days DJs. He is supported by producers Stany Alvares, Dolphi Rebello, Prince Jacob and Harry himself. Supported by Shodhan Prasad for overseas release.

The programme concluded with sumptuous buffet dinner which was thoroughly savored and enjoyed by the guests and audience.

For booking tickets please check the pamphlet or contact:

Dubai: Show at Novo Cinemas Ibn Batuta Mall @ 1.30 pm & 4.30 pm

Sonu Bantwal – 055 7345587
Alwyn Pinto – 050 4583930
Sunitha Menezes – 050 5792547
Deepak Paladka – 055 1548621
Claud Dleema – 050 5412737
Stany Alvares – 056 5052287

Abu Dhabi: Show at Novo Cinemas WTC @ 1.30 pm

Valerian Dalmaida – 050 7123965
Cynthia D’Cunha – 050 4467816
Bhasker Shetty – 050 3244362
Derick Pinto – 050 9460513
Hilda D’Souza – 055 4325454
Sunitha Menezes – 050 5792547
Deepak Paladka – 055 1548621
Claud Dleema – 050 5412737

Sharjah: Show at Novo Cinemas Mega MAll Sharjah @ 1.30 pm

Cynthia Goveas – 050 6459054
Deepak Paladka – 055 1548621
Uttam Menezes – 050 1719001
Sonu Bantwal – 055 7345587
Sunitha Menezes – 050 5792547
Stany Alvares – 056 5052287