Keen contest likely for Marathi theatre body poll

The Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natyasammelan election is four months away, but two candidates -- director Satyadev Dubey and actress Bhakti Barve-Inamdar -- are already in the fray for the president's post.

This is the first time in recent times that the Sammelan's chief will be elected. Though three candidates contested last year's election, film star Nana Patekar became the consensus candidate at the eleventh hour.

Though Barve-Inamdar enjoys the Bombay theatre world's support, she may face stiff competition as Dubey is backed by theatre personalities from Kankavali, where the election will be held. He is supported by the local Vasantrao Achrekar Cultural Parishad, which has been organising theatre festivals at Kankavali.

An influential theatre group, however, is against his candidature as he allegedly steers clear of the mainstream. Alleging that Dubey's experimental movement has had a limited response, the group says the Sammelan should be headed by a young, attractive personality.

In fact, it was this group which roped Barve-Inamdar -- widow of actor Shafi Inamdar -- into the contest to scuttle Dubey's chances.

Interestingly, Barve-Inamdar began her career in the experimental theatre before she graduated to mainstream theatre. She also starred as the lead in the only film Dubey ever directed, Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe

Meanwhile, there are reports that veteran stage and film actor Niloo Phule might also enter the contest.

Complied from the Marathi media by Prasanna D Zore