Susheel Gajwani

Born and brought up in Kolhapur, it seemed natural for Gajwani to start his film career with Marathi films. Of the 13 films he's directed so far, 11 have been Marathi films. Marathi comes as easily to him as his mother tongue. Among the most notable of his films is 'Mulgi Zhaali Ho', based on the famous street play by the same name written in 1983 by Jyoti Mhapsekar. Made in 1985, the film starred top artistes such as Dr Shreeram Lagoo and Suhas Joshi. He also directed Nilu Phule in 'Raakhandaar'. Gajwani's first film in his mother tongue was born out of a webinar in memory of Thakur Chawla, where the director read out 'Aakhreen Train'. His rendition so moved Chawla's daughter, Barkha Khushalani, that it was decided to make a film based on the story. Barkha wrote the dialogues and lyrics and co-authored the script with Gajwani, while the famous Mahesh Chander was roped in for the music.