Beyond Bollywood: Why Marathi Cinema Deserves a Place on Your Binge-List

21st September 2026

After a fantastic response to the Hindi movie list, I am drafting a separate blog for Marathi movies.

My love affair with Marathi movies started with the very first Marathi movie I watched in my teens, "Mumbai Pune Mumbai," and what do I say about this movie? Such poignant storytelling, such prolific acting. And the best part is its simplicity. It had been a year or so I had come to Pune, and all the locations shown in the movie felt familiar; that's how relatable this movie is. Swapnil Joshi and Mukta Barve make it seamless, and that too effortlessly. Since then, this movie has come in 3 parts, and all of them do their jobs aptly. The second part shows their wedding, and in the third one you see them embracing parenting. So it's a journey you enjoy.

After seeing me love this one so much, my friends introduced me to the older Marathi movies like De Dhakka, Mi Shivaji Raje Bhonsle Boltoy, Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi, Kaaksparsh, Foreign chi Patlin, Navra Majha Navsacha. I thoroughly enjoyed each one of them. What a variety of topics explored, and the flawless storytelling just hits the right chord.

After I got married, the first Marathi movie we saw together was Duniyaadaari. And this film made me fall in love with Marathi Cinema all over again. This movie is a milestone in multiple ways for the Marathi Film industry too. The song tik tik wajte dokyat is so addictive.

The next movie we saw together was Timepass. Childhood love and its future meeting. This movie has set some iconic dialogues, "Naya hain waha!" being one of those! Ravi Jadhav is one Marathi filmmaker the Marathi industry is proud of. I still regret watching Natrang late and at home on TV. To all those who think Marathi films are about cheap comedy and loud lavnis, you need to watch this film for its depth. Yes, it has lavani and iconic numbers like "Wajle ki 12..." But the aftereffects that a family faces when the man in the house chooses an unconventional path is what this movie depicts.

Then came Nagraj Manjule's era, where Fandry and Sairaat and Naal ruled the theatres. Not a fan of Sairaat, as it shows honor killing, which I am not in support of, but I can't deny the musical revolution that it brought through Jhingaat. How can I not talk about Deul Band if I have to talk about revolutionary Marathi films? This one challenges spirituality and technology at the same time.

My "Hrudayat waje something" as I write this! My 4-year-old used to hum this song in his babbling tone; it's that cute. Bollywood may have glamorised breakups, but the practical calm after it is what the Marathi Film "Ti Sadhya Kaay Karte" has shown to the world. Another film that talks about the middle class mainly is Double Seat. Such a lovable one this is!



Seeing Marathi folks choosing Marathi Films, even Ritesh Deshmukh could not hold himself back and made "Lai Bhaari". He brought Faster Fene to the screen from a regular comic strip in a Marathi daily newspaper. He did not stop there; Ved and Raja Shivaji are the next in line.

There is a whole range of biopics you can explore through Marathi films. To start with Dr. Prakash Baba Amte, whose unparalleled work is brought to the screen by Nana Patekar. ...Ani Kashinath Ghanekar, which explores the passion for acting and on-screen depiction of the man, by Subodh Bhave. Anandi Gopal is the on-screen presentation of India's First Female doctor; yes it is a Marathi woman.

Marathi live plays are a different domain which can't be explored in one blog post, but I can't stop myself from talking about Katyar Kaljat Ghusli, which is a musical drama converted into a film. Another play-to-movie adaptation is Natasamrat. Dharmveer shows the human side of Anand Dighe through Prasad Oak, Young Adult and kids films are made very differently in the Marathi industry. What amazed me was its simplicity, authenticity, and relatability. Balak Palak, Ubuntu, and Khari Biscuit are a few of my favorites out of many.

I have reserved the last bit for my recent favourite genre where women are the protagonists. "Baaipan Bhari", "Naach ga Ghuma", "Jhimma 1 & 2" , "Teeghi" are the films I will never be tired of recommending. And I promise, you won't regret watching.

While I can still go on and on about my love for Marathi Films, I think, for my non maharashtrian beginner friends this list would suffice for 3-4 months.

I intend to watch Bandkhor next.

I have not mentioned any horror or action- thriller because I prefer not to watch that genre, and hence I won't be the right person to talk about them. I have not explored OTT either. Just naming them to complete my list felt unfair. So, I will stop here.

This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon.