A film based on Devdasis premiered in Mumbai
30 Apr 2008, 1914 Hrs

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Mumbai, Apr 30 (ANI): The premiere of film 'Pranali -The Tradition' based on Devdasi tradition of temple dancers was held in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Harward Entertainment's maiden venture 'Pranali -The Tradition' is directed by Hridesh Kamble, the erstwhile Assistant of John Mathew Mathan, Mahesh Bhatt and Vikram Bhatt.

The main star cast of the film includes Upendra Limaye, Raman Trikha, Sudha Chandran, Dipshikha, Vinay Apte and the Garam Masala fame Nargis.

The film aims to underline the plight of Devadasis through the eyes of one Devadasi.

'Pranali -The Tradition' trails the journey of a village belle called 'Pranali' who is forced into becoming a Devadasi at a tender age and how her life changes when she becomes a young mother and how a man defies the social norms and come to her rescue.

According to this custom, virgin girls are married off to the presiding deities of certain temples in the name of service to the god. Such temples and customs prevail in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

There they become temple dancers. Far too often, the dancers are forced into prostitution.

The film throws light on the plight of these women who enjoyed a high social standing but were actually sex slaves of priests and powerful men who claimed to be Gods' representatives.

Limaye expressed that he enjoyed very much working on this unique social subject.

"I enjoyed working in the film. If somebody is attempting to do something different besides doing a typical film, then as an actor and a performer I enjoy experimenting such attempts," said Limaye, the main protagonist of the film.

According to Kamble, the director, the film tries to make people aware of how socially and economically backward village girls are vulnerable and are forced into this system in the name of religion only to be sexually exploited by influential upper caste people.

"I am going to give a good film to the society. It has a message with entertainment. We look at prostitutes with hatred. We are trying to change their views with this film. The story of the film Pranali is inspired from the Devadasi tradition and this is a journey of Devadasis," said Kamble.

"How they are trapped into Devadasi tradition, how the volcano bursts and they start a revolution. This is the story of those girls who have been pushed into this tradition," added Kamble.

Bollywood singer Kaliash Kher makes his debut as music director with this movie and collaborates with composers Paresh and Naresh.

Dance plays a key role in 'Pranali - The Tradition' and well-known exponent of 'Kathak' Pandit Birju Maharaj has given dancing tips to choreographer Saroj Khan for the film.

'Pranali - The Tradition' is scheduled to release simultaneously in four languages Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam on May 2. (ANI)