Dubai: Mangaluru former MLA J R Lobo releases CD & tickets of Konkani movie, Benddkar

By Shodhan Prasad
Pics: Sonu Bantwal & Pithu Bantwal
Bellevision Media Network

Dubai, 23 Sep: The much-awaited Konkani movie Benddkar’s Audio and Tickets’ were released at Winny’s Restaurant Ballroom, Karama, Dubai on Friday, September 20 @ 8.30pm in a dinner function hosted by Benddkar Team.

 

Mangaluru south former MLA J R Lobo was the chief guest along with Elias Sanctis, president of Rachana – Christian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mangaluru, singer/actor Joseph Mathias of Merit Freight, Tulu movie producer Ronald Martis of Blue Diamond, Dayan D’Souza of Daiji Rang Manch, Nelson Rodrigues – producer, Stany Alvares of Mandd Sobhann and Shodhan Prasad of Sandhya Creations Overseas Movie Distribution.

 

Shodhan Prasad welcomed the audience and briefed on the inspirational making of the social film BENDDKAR and its subject. He then introduced MC Uttam Menezes who is the all-time luck charm for the Konkani and Tulu Movies inaugurals in Dubai.

 

 

MC Uttam Menezes invited all the guests to the dais while Producer Stany Alvares greeted them with flower. Uttam highlighted on the subject and requested audience to always support the mother tongue and specially Konkani movies and plays whenever the shows are arranged in UAE. In today’s trend dramas in Tulu are diminishing while films are increasing in the making and in similar situation are the Konkani Movies but the support from Konkani people should also increase in order to support the Producers, he stressed.

 

Soon after the prayer led by Uttam followed by the audience; all the guests led by J R Lobo inaugurated the function.

 

In the absence of producer/director Harry Fernandes, Stany Alvares conveyed Harry’s wishes and greetings to the audience.

 

Actors from Dubai who were part of the Benddkar Team - Deepak Paladka, Sunitha Menezes, Joseph Mathias, Claude D’Lima and Arun D’Almeida were present.

 

Deepak and Sunitha shared their views about the making of the film and their roles in general and thanked the Producers for giving them the opportunity. Deepak Paladka in addition is also coordinating with the Digital Marketing of Benddkar.

 

Producer/actor Stany Alvares spoke on the event and mentioned that his team has put full efforts in making Benddkar a good film but it is always left to the audience to prove the results. If everyone supports then definitely it will boost the Producers in not only presenting more films in Konkani but also will be a boost to the mother tongue, he said.  He also shared some of the lighter moments of his early day’s visits to Dubai and said that Konkani people were always supportive and he is thankful to them. He also said that there may be some discrepancies in whatever our own people present, be it a drama or film but highlighting these discrepancies in the social media is not a wise idea; instead speak to those concerned and may be they will rectify those things within the personal stage without making it public.

 

Trailers were screened on the projector and all the audience appreciated it with huge round of applause. Followed was one of the best song composed by Patson Pereira was played which was very much liked by the audience.

 

Soon with a big bang unveiling of the Audio CD was done by J R Lobo along with other guests and the CD was distributed to all the guests and audience. While the release was going on Uttam announced the names of the Singers and the Lyricist. Stany Alvares introduced some of the Guests who came all the way from India and thanked them for their unconditional support every time. Uttam later introduced and welcomed Actresses Jennifer & Navyatha who have acted in Konkani & Tulu Films respectively and who joined to support Benddkar Dubai Release. Uttam kept on saying that ‘your love should always be unconditional’.

 

J R Lobo spoke on the occasion and thanked for inviting him. He said that he feels his visit to Dubai like home away from home. The earlier day, he attended a Konkani play in Abu Dhabi and today this programme again in Konkani which gave him a feast of his native. He said that Benddkar movie gives him a feeling of a story of those artistes of yesteryears whose livelyhood was art. Be it a Yakshagana or any other form of art like Benddkar, behind the artiste is an untold story through which a journey of their family is connected. They may have financial difficulties but still were promoting the art and being part of it; which is important to understand.

 

He then shared some of his vision while he was the MLA. He said in Pilikula Mangalore there is a place called Band Stand and he was always thinking ‘Why not we have a music play of our Benddkar, brass band artistes every Saturday/Sunday to play there and present their art?. In his final note, Lobo said, ‘Our support is very much essential to promote and save our mother tongue and this is not just an effort of the producers and directors of Konkani film but is the duty of all audience as well. It is not only saving our language but also maintaining our tradition which one should remember, he said and wished all the actors, director and producers for making a film like Benddkar.

 

Elias Sanctis also spoke on the occasion and his speech was really full of humor fully applauded by the audience.

 

Joseph Mathias a philanthropist, actor, Singer and a well-wisher of most of the Karnataka based programmes in Dubai and who is also an actor in Benddkar spoke on the occasion. He shared his emotions and said that our own people are not coming forward to support our mother tongue which otherwise they should do in return. He saluted all those who were present and said that ‘you are the true supporters and contributors’ and please always come forward and support for any Konkani programmes arranged. He said for the past 26 years he is in UAE and have seen those days where Konkani speaking people were initially very few which later slowly developed giving birth to 36 plus associations of Konkani. He said he was happy for that and thanked all those who took up initiative in these forming. But now, he said, that trend is diminishing. People are not supportive when Konkani is concerned. Everyone supports their mother tongue be it Tulu, Kannada or Malayalam. But when he saw the trend in recent years, our own people are not supportive but keep criticizing which reflects in the society we live.  In his final note he requested all those who were present to support BENDDKAR and said that, while Producers of Konkani Movies having their current jobs, still come out to support our mother tongue and it should be our duty to support them in their noble cause.

 

Dayan of Daiji Dubai Ranghmanch also spoke on the occasion and shared some of his good thoughts.  He said he is happy that Producers and Directors like Harry Fernandes are ready to accept the suggestions of the public to present better films to our own public and this will create more quality movies in Konkani in the future. He appreciated the Music, Songs and Making of the movie and wished all the best.

 

Followed was Ticket Release programme by all the Guests on the dais who inaugurated the ticket books and distributed. Audience flocked in and reserved their books for themselves and for their near and dear ones.

 

Well-wishers and special guests present were invited on to the stage and honoured with flower.  At the same time blessings from the Priests back home Mangalore were shown on the Projector Screens.

 

Shodhan Prasad rendered the vote of thanks and individually thanked Chief Guest J.R. Lobo & other main guests, MC Uttam, Sound Lancy D’Souza, DJ Preetam Bantwal, Santhan of Winny’s Restaurant and all the beautiful audience for supporting and making this event a special one. On behalf of TEAM Benddkar he thanked one and all including Medias for publishing updates of Benddkar in their websites.

 

Benddkar’s story, screenplay, dialogues and direction is being carefully and creatively crafted by Harry Fernandes whose dream is to give importance to and highlight those Benddkar’s whom the current generation has completely forgotten with the invasion of modern days DJ’s. He is supported by Producers Stany Alvares, Dolphi Rebello, Prince Jacob and Harry himself. Its Supported by Shodhan Prasad for Overseas release.

 

Programme concluded with sumptuous Buffer Dinner which was thoroughly savored and enjoyed by the guests and audience.

 

 

For Booking Tickets please contact: -

DUBAI: Show at NOVO Cinema IBN BATUTA MALL @ 1.30 pm & 4.30 pm

Sonu Bantwal – 055 7345587

Alwyn Pinto – 050 4583930

Sunitha Menezes – 050 5792547

Deepak Paladka – 055 1548621

Claude D’Lima – 050 5412737

StanyAlvares – 056 5052287

 

ABU DHABI: Show at NOVO Cinema WTC @ 1.30 pm

Valerian Dalmaida – 050 7123965

Cynthia D’Cunha – 050 4467816

Bhasker Shetty – 050 3244362

Derick Pinto – 050 9460513

Hilda D’Souza – 055 4325454

Sunitha Menezes – 050 5792547

Deepak Paladka – 055 1548621

Claude D’Lima – 050 5412737

 

SHARJAH: Show at NOVO Cinema MEGA MALL SHARJAH @ 1.30 pm

Cynthia Goveas – 050 6459054

Deepak Paladka – 055 1548621

Uttam Menezes – 050 1719001

Sonu Bantwal – 055 7345587

Sunitha Menezes – 050 5792547

Stany Alvares – 056 5052287