You don't have to travel to Mumbai to experience the magic of India's famed film industry. South Africans will soon be given the opportunity to experience a unique brand of Indian cinema at a local venue.

"All the glamour of Bollywood, but with a deeper human sensitivity and the boldness to explore previously untouched subjects". This is just one of the descriptions given to India's Marathi cinema industry, the oldest form of Indian cinema, dating back to 1912. The films, produced in the Marathi language, are both critically acclaimed and commercially successful, having outshined other hugely successful Indian film industries such as Bollywood in the first quarter of 2010 in terms of box office collections.

The Utkarsh Marathi Film Festival SA, to be held at Gallagher Estates Conference Venue, Johannesburg, from 27 October – 5 November 2012, will feature 10 of the very best Indian Marathi movies in an event set to display the vibrance and flair of India in true red-carpet fashion. The showcase event will culminate in an award ceremony to be attended by the elite of Bollywood and judged by luminaries of South Africa's TV and film industry, including the well-known, acclaimed South African actress Moshidi Motshegwa, who will pass judgment on the best movie, actor, actress, director and various other special awards.

This initiative by Terwadkar Rajiv, Director of Utkarsh Projects, is a new beginning of cross-cultural and cross border film productions between Bollywood and the Marathi film industry and the film industry in South Africa. Organised by Utkarsh Projects and proudly supported by Indian Cultural Centre and Marathi Mandal South Africa, the voice of the Marathi community in South Africa, whose mission is to celebrate the Marathi spirit, and funded by Utkarsh Projects, this glamorous event will unite the Indian and South African film industries in a way never before seen on local shores.

Whether you have a vested interest in the Marathi language and culture, want to learn about this multi-billion dollar industry or simply want to enjoy an alternate form of entertainment, put the Utkarsh Marathi Film Festival SA on your calendar today.

Tickets available from between R200 - R500. For further information, visit.