Sumitra Bhave–Sunil Sukthankar

Bhave was born on 12 January 1943 in Pune. She completed her graduation from Fergusson College, Pune, and received a master's degree in Political and Science Sociology from Pune University. She received another master's degree in Political Science and Sociology and a Diploma in Rural Welfare from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and later began her voluntary work for various organisations. She taught at the Karve Institute of Social Service, Pune, for a decade and later worked as a Project Manager for Community Aid and Sponsorship Program, Mumbai. Bhave has published various investigation and research papers on the subject.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2002/11/21/stories/2002112101090300.htm|title=Quest for meaningful cinema|location=Hyderabad|author=Maheshwari, R. Uma|date=21 November 2002|work=The Hindu|access-date=26 July 2016}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} She worked as a Marathi language newsreader with All India Radio, New Delhi.

Bhave had a daughter, who is also a writer. On 6 April 2021, Bhave was admitted to Sahyadri Hospital in Pune for lung infection. She was suffering from Interstitial lung disease which was detected earlier in March 2021.{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sumitra-bhave-national-award-winning-filmmaker-dies-at-78-7279979/ | title=Sumitra Bhave, National Award-winning filmmaker, dies at 78 | work=Indian Express | date=19 April 2021 | accessdate=19 April 2021}} She died on the morning of 19 April 2021 due to respiratory failure and lung fibrosis.{{cite web | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/noted-marathi-filmmaker-sumitra-bhave-dies-due-to-lung-infection-101618807590321.html | title=Noted Marathi filmmaker Sumitra Bhave dies due to lung infection | publisher=Hindustan Times | date=19 April 2021 | accessdate=19 April 2021 | author=Bari, Prachi}}{{cite web | url=https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/national-award-winning-filmmaker-sumitra-bhave-passes-away-at-the-age-of-77-1903172 | title=जानी-मानी फिल्म निर्देशक सुमित्रा भावे का पुणे में निधन | work=ABP Live |language=Hindi | date=19 April 2021 | accessdate=19 April 2021 | author=Jain, Ravi}} At the time of her death, she was working on three films and their scripts.{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/noted-filmmaker-sumitra-bhave-dies-at-78-condolences-pour-in-from-neena-kulkarni-other-celebs-698788 | title=Noted filmmaker Sumitra Bhave dies at 78, condolences pour in from Neena Kulkarni & others | work=India TV | date=19 April 2021 | accessdate=19 April 2021}}

Sukthankar was born on 31 May 1966 in Karad. He completed his graduation in Commerce from Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, Pune and joined the Film and Television Institute of India to pursue a course in film direction. His diploma film was titled Anuttar. As a theatre activist, Sukthankar wrote and directed several plays and street plays.

In 1985, while working as the Director of Research Project for Stree Vani, Bhave made a debut short film Bai (Woman) about a woman from the slums to display her strength to survive adversities. The film, produced by Stree Vani, was well received and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film on Family Welfare at the 33rd National Film Awards. It was honoured for "its realistic portrayal of poor, oppressed housewife who succeeds in her determined effort to rehabilitate herself and realise her potential to be on her own". Her next short film Paani, made in 1987, also fetched her another National Film Award. The film was adjudged the Best Educational / Motivational / Instructional Film at the 35th National Film Awards. Bhave later made several other short films like Mukti (1990),{{cite web|url=http://www.punescope.com/pdf2/ISSU9.PDF|title=NSD Alumni.94, batch, Abhay Kulkarni, from Pune bags Kala Gauvrav National Award|page=8|date=December 2012|access-date=27 July 2016}} Chakori (1992),{{cite web|url=http://www.laenanamarron.org/inedito.html|title=Muestra de cine independiente indio|trans-title=Indian independent cinema shows|language=es|access-date=27 July 2016}} Laha (1994), and Three Faces of Tomorrow. Bhave has received a Chitra Ratna Puraskar and Kamdhenu Award for literary contribution.

After a career as a theatre activist, Sukthankar was introduced to Bhave through her daughter while she was making her debut short film Bai (1985). After completing his graduation and film direction course from the Film and Television Institute of India, he joined Bhave again as an assistant and worked on three short films.

In 1995, Bhave collaborated with Sukthankar as a director and made their film debut with a Marathi film Doghi (Two Sisters). The film depicts a story about two sisters and their mother caught in rigid and superstitious social structure. The film received wide critical acclaim and won several awards including the Best Film at the 32nd Maharashtra State Film Awards and the Best Film on Other Social Issues at the 43rd National Film Awards. Their next film Zindagi Zindabad (Long live, Life!) was made in Hindi in 1997. The film was based on a real-life story of a teenager who risked his own life to care for a person stigmatised by HIV/AIDS.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/pictures-of-concern/204301|title=Pictures Of Concern: AIDS becomes the focus of four new film projects in Bollywood|magazine=Outlook India|date=29 September 1997|access-date=21 January 2017|author=Akhtar, Shameem}} In 2002, two of the films made by Bhave and Sukthankar, both made in Marathi, Dahavi Fa (10th F) and Vastupurush (Guardian Spirit of the House), were released. The filmmaker duo initially approached the Children's Film Society to produce Dahavi Fa but the organization refused the script for not fitting "into their 'objectives'". The film was finally funded by their friends and was released under the duo's production company "Vichitra Nirmiti".{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/national-award-winning-film--samhita--the-script-releases-on-oct.-11th/1177891/|title=National Award winning film Samhita: The Script releases on Oct. 11th|newspaper=Indian Express|date=4 October 2013|access-date=17 January 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iaac.us/nyiff2017/Schedule-May6.htm|title=17th Annual New York Indian Film Festival|publisher=New York Indian Film Festival|access-date=4 May 2017}} Both films received wide critical acclaim; Vastupurush was awarded the Best Feature Film in Marathi at the 50th National Film Awards, Dahavi Fa was adjudged the Best Film at the 40th Maharashtra State Film Awards, and the duo won the Best Director award. The duo considers Vastupurush as their "important and favourite film".{{cite web|url=http://mailer.hdfcbank.com/Nov14/New/Imperia_Newsletter/imperia_magazine/files/assets/basic-html/page16.html|title=First Among Equals III|publisher=HDFC Imperia|access-date=24 January 2017|date=November 2014}}

In 2004, Bhave—Sukthankar made their next Marathi film Devrai (Sacred Grove) on the subject of schizophrenia with Atul Kulkarni and Sonali Kulkarni playing the lead roles. The film was appreciated for its depiction of schizophrenia and performances of its leads, and won several awards upon its release including the Best Film on Environment Conservation / Preservation at the 52nd National Film Awards, Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress award at the 11th Screen Awards Marathi and the Award for Best Film with Social Message at the 42nd Maharashtra State Film Awards.{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/home/deulgaonkar-shammi-kapoor-presented-awards_214722.html|title=Deulgaonkar, Shammi Kapoor presented awards|publisher=Zee News|date=1 May 2005|access-date=9 May 2017|location=Mumbai}} In 2006, two of Bhave—Sukthankar's Marathi films were released; Badha (Possessed) and Nital (Crystal Clear). While Badha depicts a story of a woman from the shepherd community battling depression due to the "shamans, stigma and superstition" in their community, Nital focuses on the stigma associated with the disease vitiligo in Indian society.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/balancing-the-yin-and-the-yang/article2273368.ece|title=Balancing the yin and the yang|author=Cheerath, Bhawani|date=17 August 2007|access-date=4 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://mailer.hdfcbank.com/Nov14/New/Imperia_Newsletter/imperia_magazine/files/assets/basic-html/page14.html|title=First Among Equals II|publisher=HDFC Imperia|access-date=24 January 2017|date=November 2014}} Nital was adjudged the Best Film at the 44th Maharashtra State Film Awards, and the duo won the Best Director award.

In 2007, Bhave—Sukthankar made a short film in Hindi, Bewaqt Barish (Untimely Rain), financed by the European Union and produced by Muktangan Mitra. The film focuses on the issues around HIV/AIDS, sex and sexuality and is based on the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief's work with rural and tribal community in the Rajasthan and Odisha states of India.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/Exploring-the-identity-of-women/article14885151.ece|title=Exploring the identity of women|author=Tankha, Madhur|date=30 November 2007|access-date=4 May 2017}} Two of the duo's Marathi films were released in 2009; Ek Cup Chya (A Cup of Tea) and Gho Mala Asla Hava (This is the Husband I Want). Ek Cup Chya depicts a story of a common man who challenges the Government authorities using the Right to Information Act, 2005, an act of the Parliament of India that gives its citizens the right to access government records.{{cite web|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-44262920091126|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011072543/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-44262920091126|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 October 2017|title=Film 'Ek Cup Chya' brings RTI awareness at Goa festival|date=26 November 2009|access-date=4 May 2017|publisher=Reuters News Agency|author=Jamkhandikar, Shilpa|location=Panaji}} The film was awarded the Third Best Film at the 2009 Maharashtra State Film Awards and Bhave—Sukthankar won the Best Director award.{{Cite news|url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/82/20100502201005020324363022c8316f1/Storm-in-a-tea-cup.html|title=Storm in a tea cup|author=Menon, Lekha|date=2 May 2010|newspaper=Mumbai Mirror|access-date=3 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107104027/http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/82/20100502201005020324363022c8316f1/Storm-in-a-tea-cup.html|archive-date=7 November 2010}} Gho Mala Asla Hava premiered at the Pune International Film Festival and is a comical representation of marital problems. Bhave had initially had plans to make it as a short film.{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/happily-married/410985/0|title=Happily married|date=15 January 2009|access-date=4 May 2017|newspaper=The Indian Express|author=Salkar, Tanvi}} The film marked the debut of actress Radhika Apte, who had previously acted for the theatre.{{cite web|url=http://www.zeetalkies.com/celebs-speak/i-will-never-forget-my-marathi-identity-radhika-apte.html|title=I will never forget my Marathi identity: Radhika Apte|date=August 2015|access-date=4 May 2017|publisher=Zee Talkies}}

In 2010, the duo made the Hindi language feature-cum-documentary film Mor Dekhne Jungle Mein (To Look for a Peacock in the Jungle). The film was produced by the BAIF Development Research Foundation and was inspired by their "Wadi" project. It focuses on urban youth involvement in rural development and rehabilitation of tribal families.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/City-NGO-to-release-docu-focusing-on-tribal-rehab/articleshow/7558710.cms|title=City NGO to release docu focusing on tribal rehab|date=24 February 2011|access-date=4 May 2017|newspaper=The Times of India|location=Pune}}{{cite news|title=BAIF makes film on tribal self-sustenance|date=21 February 2011|newspaper=Sakaal Times|location=Pune}} Bhave—Sukthankar's 2011 Marathi film Ha Bharat Majha (This is My India) depicts the contrast in the Indian society who support the 2011 Indian anti-corruption movement started by activist Anna Hazare but continue to practice small corrupt acts in their daily lives. The film was awarded the Best Marathi Film at the 10th Pune International Film Festival. The duo made a Marathi film in 2013, Samhita (The Script). The film received positive reviews for its story, direction, music, and performances.{{cite news|url=http://www.loksatta.com/vruthanta-news/samhita-a-marathi-movie-tells-melodious-but-complex-love-story-228490/2/|title=नेत्रसुखद, कर्णमधुर गुंतागुंतीची प्रेमकथा|newspaper=Loksatta|trans-title=Visually stunning, melodious, yet complicated love story|language=mr|date=20 October 2013|access-date=11 January 2017|author=Nandgaokar, Sunil}}

• {{cite news|url=http://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/cine-review/sanhita-review/articleshow/24359398.cms|title=संहिता: नात्यांच्या उलगड्याची सोपी गोष्ट|newspaper=Maharashtra Times|trans-title=Samhita: Complicated relationships in a simple tale|language=mr|date=20 October 2013|access-date=11 January 2017}} It received two awards at the 60th National Film Awards, and Bhave was awarded for the Best Screenplay at the 11th Pune International Film Festival.{{cite press release|title=60th National Film Awards Announced|url=http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2013/mar/d2013031801.pdf|publisher=Press Information Bureau (PIB), India|access-date=18 March 2013}} Their next Marathi film, Astu (So Be It), dealt with the subject of Alzheimer's, and is about a Sanskrit scholar who is suffering from it. The film was appreciated for its depiction of the disease and performances of its leads, and won several awards. Bhave won Best Dialogue at the 61st National Film Awards. Though the film was completed in 2013, it did not find any distributor and was released through crowdfunding in 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.catapooolt.com/campaign/info/title/astu-so-be-it?camp=ASTNSH7PWF&pid=MTg4&uid=MjUzMQ==|title=Astu: So Be It: A hard-hitting Film on Value of Relationships needs your support for theatrical release! By: Sheelaa Rao|publisher=Catapooolt|access-date=4 May 2017}}

In 2015, the duo made a short film in Hindi, Phir Zindagi (Life Again) which deals with topic of organ donation.{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/phir-zindagi-a-film-that-seeks-to-sensitise-people-on-organ-donation-process|title=Phir Zindagi-a film that seeks to sensitise people on organ donation process|newspaper=Indian Express|date=1 December 2015|access-date=27 July 2016|author=Mascarenhas, Anuradha}} Their upcoming Marathi film Kaasav depicts the issue of depression among youngsters in relation to the life and nesting cycle of olive ridley sea turtles.{{cite news|title=Allow youngsters space and they will explore life on their own|date=24 October 2016|newspaper=Sakaal Times|author=Janjali, Arwa}} The film was awarded the Best Feature Film at the 64th National Film Awards. Kaasav (Turtle) became the fifth Marathi film to win in this category.{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/marathi/movies/news/kaasav-and-ventilators-big-win/articleshow/58068077.cms|title=Kaasav and Ventilator's big win at the National Awards|newspaper=The Times of India|date=11 April 2017|author=Bhanage, Mihir|access-date=4 May 2017}} The film was also awarded the Best Film at the 55th Maharashtra State Film Awards.

{{cite web|url=http://www.loksatta.com/mumbai-news/maharashtra-state-film-awards-kaasav-movie-1463648/|title=राज्य मराठी चित्रपट महोत्सवात 'कासव' सर्वोत्कृष्ट|language=mr|trans-title='Kaasav' Best Film at the Maharashtra State Film Awards|date=1 May 2017|access-date=5 May 2017|publisher=Loksatta}}

In 2019, Bhave's next film Dithee premiered at the Pune International Film Festival. Bhave had been working on this film for many years but the project could not start due to lack of producers. Bhave lended her voice to the character of Sindhubai Jadhav in the 2020 film The Disciple directed by Chaitanya Tamhane. The film is about a young aspiring classical singer and Jadhav is a veteran singer of yester-years whose only audio recordings are now available.

• {{small|All films are in the Marathi language unless noted otherwise.}}

File:Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar of the film Badha addressing a press conference at Black Box ,Kala Academy on the occasion of 37th International Film Festival of India (IFFI-2006) in Panaji, Goa on December 2, 2006.jpg, 2006]]

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Category:Film directors from Maharashtra

Category:Indian women screenwriters

Category:Marathi film directors

Category:Indian filmmaking duos

Category:20th-century Indian people

Category:21st-century Indian people

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Category:21st-century Indian women artists

Category:Women artists from Maharashtra

Category:Best Dialogue National Film Award winners

Category:Producers who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award

Category:Directors who won the Best Feature Film National Film Award

Category:Directors who won the Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation National Film Award

Category:Directors who won the Best Film on Other Social Issues National Film Award