ZEE5 Global, the world's largest streaming platform for South Asian content, has announced the world digital premiere of the highly acclaimed Marathi film Vaalvi.
After bringing forth blockbuster Marathi films like Pandu, Zombivali, Har Har Mahadev, and Timepass 3, ZEE5 Global is set to premiere Vaalvi on 24th February.
Directed by Paresh Mokashi, the film stars Swwapnil Joshi, Subodh Bhave, Anita Date-Kelkar, and Shivani Surve in leading roles.
Produced by Zee Studios and Madhugandha Kulkarni, Vaalvi successfully ran at the box office.
The film starts with Avni (Anita Date-Kelkar) and Aniket (Swapnil Joshi), a couple, deciding to kill themselves simultaneously. They are convinced that there is no way out of their financial problems and that suicide is the best solution. However, as it turns out, this is not a suicide mission, but an attempt to murder, and the masterminds behind this are Aniket and his girlfriend Devika (Shivani Surve) in the hope of getting rid of Aniket’s nagging wife. There is also a mysterious man (Subodh Bhave) with a hidden ulterior motive. What happens further on judgment day is what the film is about.
With an IMDb rating of 8.8, Vaalvi is amongst the highest-rated Marathi films. It was appreciated by critics and viewers alike for its unique plot, unexpected twists and turns, and strong performances by the actors. With its World Digital Premiere on ZEE5 Global on 24th February, the film will be available to viewers across 190+ countries.
Archana Anand, Chief Business Officer, ZEE5 Global, said, “At ZEE5 Global, we have always endeavoured to bring a colourful linguistic diversity to global viewers through our vast content library. With the release of the Marathi thriller comedy, Vaalvi, we take a step further towards taking Marathi stories to the world. The movie brings to viewers a pacy, funny, and engaging watch that is sure to keep them on the edge of their seats.”
Director Paresh Mokashi said, “Vaalvi is a quirky dark thriller comedy and a genre which is not extensively explored in Marathi cinema; hence, I am overwhelmed with the response from critics and fans alike as they have liked and appreciated our unusual attempt. Now with Vaalvi’s World Digital Premiere on ZEE5 Global, I am excited about the film’s second innings. For those who haven’t watched the film already, I can promise that Vaalvi will take them by surprise and keep them entertained and intrigued through the constant twists and turns”.
Actor Swwapnil Joshi said, “Vaalvi was an experimental role for me as it is unlike anything I have portrayed before, and I am thrilled with the response. My director (Paresh) helped me broaden my horizon as an actor and pushed me out of my comfort zone, for which I am grateful. I am also grateful to the viewers for appreciating this film and giving it their love. Now with Vaalvi’s World Digital Premiere on ZEE5 Global, I am excited for the film to reach a wider audience base worldwide. I insist that people sample this film as it is a deliciously written, twisted black-comedy and a satirical take on a crime of passion”.
Watch Vaalvi from 24th February 2023 exclusively on ZEE5 Global!
Adrian Lester, best known for his work on television and film, returns to the stage in the eponymous role of Edmond Rostand's 1898 comedy, Cyrano de Bergerac.
Rostland’s play centres around Cyrano - a little-known romantic 17th century French libertine poet, soldier, and philosopher. The play is based partly on his letters written on behalf of love rival Christian de Neuvillette as he tries to charm Cyrano’s cousin, Roxanne with whom Cyrano is also in love.
Cyrano is cursed with an overt self-consciousness in the form of a large nose. His insecurity is such that he prohibits anyone to refer to it directly or indirectly. Together with his wit, his skills as a swordsman, and the directorial splattering of our own vernacular, they provide the play with a certain infectious - albeit teenage - humour.
Despite Cyrano unexpressed love for Roxanne, the latter has fallen for Christian who is handsome, but useless when it comes to expressing his feelings in words. But then, he is also useless as a swordsman and clearly no match for Cyrano’s mastery and maturity. Realising this and being utterly selfless, Cyrano offers his help to the youthful Christian to woo Roxanne by writing for him poetic and hyperbolic proclamations of love and longing. All he wants is Roxanne to be happy even if he himself has to do with nursing a broken heart.
Christian Patterson and Levi BrownMarc Brenner
The result is a farce of the highest order and mistaken identity, coupled with threat and violence
This RSC production is directed by Simon Evans who has provided a very lively and engaging interpretation by all accounts. Apart from a skilled, highly polished ensemble of cast, there’s interesting theatricality at work. Every now and then, for instance, one gets a sense that the stage is a reflection of our own world and vice versa. Characters mingle with the audience, they break the fourth wall, and the theatre band wander around with the characters and referred to with some bemusement and fun.
In a 17th century French world – not unlike our own, 21st century – external beauty, speech, language are prized. Expression has become almost secondary. It’s a world in which fakery, deception and lies are paced above sincerity, honesty, and truth. Looks and external beauty outweigh the inner beauty of man.
Evans removes the original piece from its French setting to England, littering it with a Brummie accent, and accentuating our preconceptions about hopeless romantics and those with meaningless verbiage. The effect is one of joyous atmosphere and true entertainment.
Adrian Lester provides a magnificent performance as the wordsmith, Cyrano. His character is verbose, comedic, and sympathetic in equal measures. Lester is enticing, hilarious and – judging by the reaction of the audience –appreciated as a versatile actor who can do comedy just as well as drama. Levi Brown’s Christian is a fiery - overtly hopeless - romantic who cannot paint his feelings into words. Brown gives a very energetic and magnetic performance. Similarly, Susannah Fielding provides a sprightly Roxanne who is heart-warming and an utter pleasure to watch.
Adrian Lester (front right) and companyMarc Brenner
It’s hard not to notice but as an audience, we are invited to consider the value of language that may sound romantic, but may – in actual fact – be little more than a shallow expression of fancy. Whereas, the seemingly absence of language – though painfully inadequate - may actually embody real sincerity and the true meaning of love.
Whatever you may think, one thing is certain: you will enjoy this production. It’s a real treat.
The play started at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in early September, with its run lasting until 15th November.
Rating: ***** (5 stars)
(Cyrano de Bergerac is playing at the RSC Stratford until 15th November 2025.)
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