National-award winning Director Raj More & Producer Michael Thevar film ‘’Khalid Ka Shivaji ‘’will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2025!

 The selection of "Khalid Ka Shivaji", the first Marathi feature film directed by national award-winning filmmaker Raj More has been made for the 'MARCHÉ DU FILM' section of the Cannes Film Festival 2025. The film has been officially selected by the Maharashtra Film, Theatre and Cultural Development Corporation and will be screened at Cannes from 13th May to 24th May, 2025.

Raj More and Producer- Michael Thevar

Raj Pritam More had earlier directed the short film "Khisa" (2020) for which he received the National award and several international awards. Later he also received the Best Director Award at MICFF 2023 for his short film "Bicchauliya" (2022) which was based on Sahir Ludhianvi's poetry.The film produced by Michael Thevar and Sushma Thevar. Michael Thevar Sir like a subject on Shivaji Maharaj & he produces Marathi film

Poster Out

Michael Thever's Struggle Journey

Michael Thevar is a Tamil-speaking native who came to Mumbai for education in the 1990s. He studied social work and social studies at Nirmala Niketan and Tata Institute of Social Sciences. While studying, he worked in social organizations in the tribal areas of Thane district. During that time, he faced not only financial difficulties but also cultural conflicts.

Successful business and social awareness in America

Michael Thevar is the President of Omni Health Care Services, a leading mental health service company in the United States. His wife, Sushma Thevar is the Vice President of Omni Health Care Services. Thevar is renowned for his social work in the field of community mental health.

Raj More, the pride of Vidarbha, is based in Akola and permanently resisdes in Mumbai. He is a globally renowned painter and his first feature film "Khalid ka Shivaji" has been selected for the Cannes Film Festival. The Cannes Film Festival is the world's most prestigious and renowned film festival. This festival showcases prestigious and carefully selected films. This film will make ripples at the festival.

"Khalid ka Shivaji", is a story of a fearless Muslim boy who studies in the 5th grade. He shyly looks at his hero, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

This Film has been entirely produced in Vidarbha and its filming has taken place in Akola, Amravati and Nagpur districts. Moreover, local artists from the Vidarbha region are also a part of this film. There is a large participation of young artists as well. All these artists will now be introduced to the world.

Film under the P P Cine Production banner.Khalid ka Shivaji Lead Actors In the lead role: Krish More Lead Actors-

Hayyed (Priyadarshan Jadhav), Shahane sir (Bharat Ganeshpure), Dadi (Sushma Deshpande), Savle sir (Kailash Waghmare), Ruksana (Snehalata Tagde).

Technical Team –Writer (Kailash Waghmare), Dialogue (Rajkumar Tangde), Cinematography ( Vijay Mishra), Editing (B. Mahanteshwar), Art Director (Anil Wat), Background Music (Nishant Ramteke), Sound Design (Anurag Jadhav), Art Direction (DI) (Zaheer Shaikh), VFX (Nube Circus), Script Supervisor (Samir Tabhane), Line Producer (Lucky More). Second Cast-Ankur Vitthalrao Vadhwe, Vaibhav Ogle, Pravin Prabhakar, Atul Mahale, Kunal Ravindra Meshram, RJ Gaurav, Khemraj Bhoyar, Dr. Sheshpal Ganvir, Vicky Mangala Mote, Dinesh Ingole.Local Artists- Jyoti Thorat, Bharat Rangari, Nikhil Rathod, Avish Bandode, Ashwin Wakode, Sudhir Pendshe, Vijay Khandare, Sanju Ingle, Suresh Gawai, Rahul Tayde, Namrata Athavle, Roshani Ingle, Ashwini Deshmukh, Vinay Bhagat, Vasanti Rajuskar.Child Artists-Sai Shyam Dahale, Prince Gajanan Sahare, Harsh Khade, Ishwari Patil, Hrutik Dongare, Avush Ghotale, Harshvardhan Khandare, Rajvardhan Khandare, Vedant Shirsagar, Aniruddha Jalgaonkar, Piyush Jadhav, Aaryan Ingle, Swaraj Dubale, Aaditya Gawande, Ananya Tayde, Gauri Gawande, Samarth Hage, Aarush Tayde, Kartik Vaska, Sheikh Sahil, Sheikh Rahat, Samruddhi Dubale, Kalyani Tayde. Local Technical Team Prashik Mohol (Assistant Director), Sachin Telgote (Assistant Art Director), Professor Suresh Gawai (Local Production Assistant), Chhagan Khandare (Local Production Manager).Several villages in Vidarbha were selected for the shooting of this film – Amanatpur (Akola), Balapur, Vyala, Ghusar, Girad (Vardha). 95% of the actors were local and the selection of the remaining actors was also done from different villages in Vidarbha.

The film has also gained entry into many important international festivals: • IFFI Indian Panaroma – NDFC Film Bazaar 2024 – Wiring Room • Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival 2024 – India Focus Special Screening •FIPRESCI India Grand Prix Award 2025- Uncertified Nomination.

Raj More says, “Khalid ka Shivaji is his first Marathi feature film. I have worked on this film for 2-3 years. I am extremely grateful to my team & my producer Michael sir who believe on me. After being selected for the Cannes Film Festival, the possibility of winning a National Award has begun to emerge. This joy cannot be expressed in words.” Akola residents have played a very valuable role in the shooting of the film. Right from permissions required for filming to co-operation.

Special thanks to Rahul Tayde (Tehsildar), Dr. Gajanan Nare (Prabhat Kids School, Akola), Sugat Waghmare (Social Worker, Entrepreneur), Sharad Kokate, Amol Mitkari (MLA), Kishore Vibhute, Madhu Jadhav (Theatre artist),Chhagan Khandare (Auditor), Ashok Shere (Theatre artist), Raju Ukhalkar (Journalist, Akola), Sunil Jadhav (Railway TC), Vaibhav Nare, Mr. Deshpande (Principal B.R. School), Anil Bivade ( Municipal Corporation, Akola), Vikas Tatad (Columbia University), Vipin Tatad (Rapper)

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The National Gallery of Modern Art Mumbai, Ministry of Culture, Government of India Celebrated World Dance Day and Maharashtra Day

To celebrate World Dance day and Maharashtra Day , NGMA( National Gallery of Modern art) and Ministry of Culture, Government of India organised a special program ‘ Nritya Gaurav ‘ kathak solo performance and ‘ lavni ke rang ,kathak ke sang ‘ on 30th April in NGMA Auditorium. The event was graced by Shri Mangal Pabhat Lodha ji ( cabinet Minister- skill development) and Smt Dr Manju Lodha ji , Smt Dolly Thakur ,  Smt Renu prithiani (ICCR Delhi), Shri Sanjay Khandare (Principal Secretary Government of Maharashtra), Ms Prakriti Nigam (IRS Joint Commissioner Income Tax)and IAS Nidhi Chaudhari director of Ngma welcomed all .

'Lavani' is an energetic folk dance of Maharashtra and 'kathak' is traditional classical dance style of Bharat (India). Lavani rooted in kathak has flourished over 300 years as a distinct art. Both the dances are based on Hindustani Sangeet but differ in taal section, instruments where Dholki is the main instrument in lavani, while kathak features Tabla. Importance of Ghungroo is the same in both the styles, yet their sound varies.

Nritya gaurav in which Guru Mukta Joshi performed Solo kathak which was vibrant and energetic which left the audience mesmerised. Guru mukta Joshi, is the senior disciple of Dr Padmashri Roshan Kumari Ji.  This was followed by ‘Lavni ke rang ,kathak ke sang ‘ which was performed by Guru Mukta Joshi and Troupe.

Guru Mukta Joshi is very passionate about lavani and wants to develop Lavani as the classical dance of Maharashtra.The performance commenced with the Ganesh Vandana evoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha for an auspicious beginning, after that the Nrutta part of Lavani - Mujra (rhythmic body movements of lavani), then comes the Nritta part of Kathak (pure style of kathak), traditional dance form that depicts the playful interaction of how Lord Krishna plays the role in Kathak and Lavani through two different songs, Jugalbandi (challenging and rhythmic movements of lavani and kathak) which was an electrifying part of the programme which fascinated the audience and then concluding with the Vitthal bhajan on the occasion of Maharashtra Day.

The concept of developing lavani as classical dance of Maharashtra was a real success as the audience appreciated not only lavani but also kathak with all the aspects of dresses, music, choreography, presentation.--

National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai

National Gallery of Modern Art
Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall
M. G Road, Fort Mumbai - 400032

"Landscapes of the Soul" An Exhibition of Paintings by JESAL DALAL / HEMALI SHAH at Nehru Center Art Gallery

If you’re in Mumbai between April 22 and 28, make some time to step into a space that offers more than just art on walls. Landscapes of the Soul, a two-woman show by artists Jesal Dalal and Hemali Shah, is opening at the Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, and it promises to be an experience of quiet beauty and deep reflection This isn’t your typical art exhibition. Jesal and Hemali, though very different in style, come together with a shared intent: to express the unspoken — those silent emotions, fleeting thoughts, and inner landscapes we all carry but often can’t describe. Their work doesn’t shout for attention. Instead, it gently pulls you in.

JESAL DALAL

Jesal’s art feels like a breath of fresh air — or more accurately, like standing alone in a wide open space, surrounded by nature, and finally hearing yourself think. Using watercolours as her main medium, she leans into subtle hues, soft brushwork, and the play of light. Her paintings don’t just show you a scene; they ask you to feel it. Interestingly, Jesal didn’t start out as an Artist. 

She dabbled in architecture and interior design before discovering that painting was her real calling. Mostly self-taught, her artistic path has taken her across India and even to international exhibitions. Whether it’s the way she uses chiaroscuro for emotional depth or the way she lets form dissolve into the atmosphere, her work speaks of introspection and the search for peace.Her paintings are not about specific places. They’re about states of mind.

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HEMALI SHAH

Hemali’s journey with art began with Disney cartoons, but today, she’s painting nature through a lens of realism touched by emotion. Her background in Fine Arts, especially her time at C. N. Vidyalaya, gave her the foundation to grow, but it’s her connection to the natural world that fuels her creativity. Working primarily in watercolours, Hemali blends technical skill with a personal colour palette that’s uniquely hers. Her pieces often reflect the way she sees the world — not just what’s there, but what it means. There’s something deeply grounded in her work, yet you can feel her heart in every brushstroke. For her, painting is more than a craft. It’s a way of life, a perspective shift, and a means of becoming more aware and compassionate.

Landscapes of the Soul is about more than showcasing art — it’s about creating a space for emotion, reflection, and connection. Jesal and Hemali don’t just paint what they see; they paint what they feel, and in doing so, they give us permission to feel too. Whether you’re an art lover, a creative soul, or someone who simply needs a break from the city’s noise, this exhibition offers something rare — silence, softness, and space to just be.

The show will be inaugurated by two renowned artists, Amol Pawar and Nishikant Palande, on April 22 at 4 PM, and runs through April 28, open daily from 11 AM to 7 PM.

Press Release

22 - 28 April 2025

"Landscapes of the Soul"

An Exhibition of Paintings by JESAL DALAL, HEMALI SHAH

VENUE:

Nehru Center Art Gallery

Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 4000018

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 99250 36131 / +91 96628 36342

Solo Show of Paintings by well-known artist Ragini Sinkar : Jehangir Art Gallery

From: 21st to 27th April 2025

"Cascade of Shades"

Solo Show of Paintings by well-known artist Ragini Sinkar 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 99226 20155

Cascade of Shades : A creative journey of the blend of colors, tones, and textures

There are paintings that capture your sight and then there are those that quietly enter your thoughts, linger in your imagination, and bloom with every passing moment. Cascade of Shades, a solo exhibition by Ragini Sinkar, belongs to the latter. Every painting in this series bridges gap between imagination and perception.

Artist: Ragini Sinkar

Opening on the 21st of April, 2025, at 3:00 PM at Mumbai’s iconic Jehangir Art Gallery , this evocative show will be inaugurated by two distinguished figures—Hon. Pravin Darekar, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, and Achyut Palav, master calligrapher, designer, Padmashree 2025.

Each canvas in Cascade of Shades feels alive with motion—not in the literal sense, but in how it unfolds across time and mood. A painting seen in morning light might feel entirely different by dusk. These are not static pieces, they evolve with the viewer. Built with translucent layers, subtle contrasts, and a keen eye for harmony, Ragini’s abstract compositions explore the delicate bridge between perception and imagination. Her work invites you to pause, to reflect, to lose and perhaps find yourself within shifting tones and textures.

A graduate of Sir J.J. School of Art, Ragini completed her A.T.D. in 1998 with first rank, followed by a B.F.A. in Drawing and Painting in 2002. Over the years, her work has been exhibited at some of Mumbai’s most prestigious galleries, including multiple solo and group shows at Jehangir, Nehru Centre, and Cymroza Art Gallery.

Her achievements include awards for design, object drawing, portraiture, sketching, and collage, and she has actively contributed to the Indian art scene through platforms such as the Art Society of India, Camlin Art Foundation, Bombay Art Society, and several women-led exhibitions.

Cascade of Shades will be on view from April 21 to 27, daily between 11:00 AM and 7:00 PM. At Jehangir Art Gallery, amid the timeless charm of Kala Ghoda, Ragini Sinkar’s paintings await, each one a quiet, unfolding dialogue between color and soul.

Press Release

From: 21st to 27th April 2025

"Cascade of Shades"

Solo Show of Paintings by well-known artist Ragini Sinkar 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 99226 20155

Moments…a solo photo-art exhibition by Kabeer Ramesh at the Jehangir Art Gallery

Photo artist Kabeer Ramesh comes with one more solo exhibition of his photographs at the prestigious Jehangir Art Gallery. His previous exhibitions were 'Frozen in Times', (Jehangir, 2023); 'Every Picture has a Story' (Niyta Art Gallery); and 'Enduring Imprints' (Nehru Centre). The ‘Moments’, as he titles the present exhibition, captures his creative moments, depicting a variety of subjects drawn from broad experiences resulting from travels to European museums, landscapes and other locations. This attempt at memorializing the monumental achievements of humanity, inscribed in stone, depicts human resolve in achieving the unachievable: the London Bridge and the skyscrapers, among others; at the same time, the melancholy and enigma of bondage and yearning for freedom are present in his photos of statues. Thus, Kabeer’s photo art offers sensitive explorations into the complex human condition: a deep yearning for freedom and unavoidable bondage.  

Some of his works are presented in the black and white scheme: the Taj Mahal, the London Bridge, the dilapidated urban habitat, and the harsh conditions of life. This offers both an archaic presence and its fleeting, fading passage.  Kabeer is fascinated with the many shades and moods of the sky. The sky at different times of the day and night presents multiple possibilities; even the darkness, that is the absence, offers glimpses of potential.   Portraits in Kabeer’s work of people from everyday walks of life present many orientations to the given:  some present deep anguish, while others show contentment even amidst the uncertain. Kabeer’s work offers many ways of seeing and visualizing. 

 Press Release

From; 16^th to 22^nd April  2025

MOMENTS…

An Exhibition of Photographs by Kabeer Ramesh

 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

(Terrace Gallery)

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001

Timing: 11am to 7pm.

Contact: +91 9920072573

kabeerphotoart.com

 

“Realms of Peace – IV Solo Show of Paintings By Well-known artist Bhaskar Singha in Jehangir Art Gallery

From: 15^th to 21^st April 2025

“Realms of Peace – IV

Solo Show of Paintings

By Well-known artist Bhaskar Singha

 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G.. Road,

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 9811686338

Email: bhaskarsingha@gmail.com

 

 

Realms of Peace – IV : The Meditative Art of Bhaskar Singha

The world of art is often seen as a sanctuary—an alternate realm where beauty, thought, and emotion converge. Few artists embody this idea more completely than Bhaskar Singha, whose upcoming solo exhibition, "Realms of Peace – IV," promises to be both a visual and spiritual journey.

 

The exhibition will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 15th April 2025 at 6:30 PM, at the Jehangir Art Gallery, Gallery No.1, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai. It will remain open to visitors daily from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM till 21st April 2025.

 

The event will be graced by distinguished guests, including Mr. Sudipto Sen, noted film director of The Kerala Story and Bastar; Mr. Mohan Thombre, retired IAS officer; Mrs. Sujata Bali of Miran Production,  Mr. Rakesh Gupta, Director of Routes 2 Roots NGO; and Mr. Sujit Das, Executive Vice President - Creative, Turmeriq.

Artist: Bhaskar Singha

 

Bhaskar Singha is not merely a painter—he is a seeker, a chronicler of life’s simplicity, and a spiritual explorer. Over the last 28 years, he has developed a unique visual language, initially through watercolour, and later through acrylic on canvas. His early watercolours are noted for their distinct layering technique—ten to twelve translucent washes that often resemble stencil work or the wax resist textures of batik.

 

As his journey progressed, so did his themes. Singha often chooses issue-based subjects—child labour, devotion, psychology, Sanatan philosophy—transforming them into meditative reflections on canvas. His deep connection with the Ramakrishna Mission infused his art with a stronger spiritual dimension, and the influence of Sanatan Sanskriti became increasingly central to his work.

 

Singha’s artworks are rich in symbolism and atmosphere. One can sense the cool breeze on a beach, the rustling of leaves, or the searing heat of a summer day—each natural element crafted with emotional nuance. In works like 'Youth,'he portrays the fire and competitive spirit of young people across genders, highlighting the evolving roles of women in society. In another series, inspired by the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, he created pieces such as 'Run for Clean India,' capturing the ripple effect of one individual’s actions in inspiring community change.

Press Release

From: 15^th to 21^st April 2025

“Realms of Peace – IV

Solo Show of Paintings

By Well-known artist Bhaskar Singha

 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G.. Road,

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001

Timing: 11am to 7pm

Contact: +91 9811686338

Email: bhaskarsingha@gmail.com

 

 

“How to Disappear Completely” Solo Show of Paintings by artist Amit Gautam in Jehangir Art Galler

Amit Gautam - Contemporary Master Painter, a distinguished visual artist, is celebrated for his exceptional command over the watercolor medium—a form both fluid and elusive, requiring a rare finesse. A postgraduate from National Institute of Design, Amit brings a unique take on contemporary art.

His works have been showcased across prominent galleries both in India and internationally, including the Fall Brook Art Centre, Middletown Arts Centre, Mooresevevilla Arts Centre, Pryor Art Gallery, and the Michelson Museum of Art in the United States.

 

Amit Gautam - Contemporary Master Painter

Watercolor, by its very nature, demands both patience and precision. To coax such a mercurial medium into form is an art in itself—and in Gautam’s work, viewers are treated to a masterclass in this delicate balance. His portraits, the highlight of this exhibition, are imbued with quiet intensity and a profound sensitivity to human expression. Faces in his paintings do not merely exist—they speak, they reveal, they evoke.

 

Gautam’s fascination with the human condition—particularly the nuances of the face—forms the emotional core of his artistic journey. The human figure has remained a consistent theme in his explorations, serving both as subject and metaphor. In his portraits, each face becomes a narrative—etched in color, shadow, and silence.

This exhibition is not a declaration, but an invitation—to experience the poetic drama of light and pigment, of flowing color harnessed within form. The works are as unrestrained as they are composed—a celebration of color, contemplation, and craft. 

His paintings strike a rare harmony between conceptual precision and expressive freedom.

 

The exhibition is open to all, from 11 AM to 7 PM daily, and admission is free of charge. Art connoisseurs and enthusiasts alike are warmly invited to witness this exquisite confluence of technique and soul, and to immerse themselves in a visual experience that is both profound and poetic.

 

Press Release

15^th to 21^st April 2025

“How to Disappear Completely”

Solo Show of Paintings by contemporary renowned artist Amit Gautam

 

VENUE:

Jehangir Art Gallery

161-B, M.G. Road

Kala Ghoda, Mumbai 400 001

Timing:11am to 7pm.

Contact:+91 7983017587