Evergreen Classic Film 'SHYAMCHI AAI'
FILM COMPULSORY VIEWING FOR THE CHILDREN AND PARENTS.

Maa... Aayee... Amma.. Mother... Mai... a single word but defining someone with unconditional love and care. As is said, 'Swami teenhi jagatacha pan Aayee vina bhikari.' (Loose translation: You may be the greatest of this universe but you are only a beggar without a mother) These sentiments are echoed in 'Shyamchi Aai', a film which won the first President's Gold Medal (now called National Award) for the Best Feature Film in 1954, 'Shyamchi Aai' is a film that has more relevance today then ever before.
The film like the book highlights (Shyam's mother's) 'Shyamchi Aai'positive attitude and deep faith in God while facing life's problems and serves to instill good values in children and youth. An emotional journey. Several generations of Maharashtrians have grown up with the book on which the film is based. A great work in Marathi literature by Pandurang Sadashiv Sane, better known as Sane Guruji, who wrote this book in five days while he was detained in jail for participation in the 'Civil Disobedience movement'. He was a sensitive man with a creative imagination and a prolific writer.
The film starred Vanamala, Madhav Vaze, Umesh, Baburao Pendharkar and Sumati Gupte. Vanamala as the mother was down-to-earth and religious, and her characterization had a profound influence on maternal characters in Marathi cinema. The director of the film was Acharya P K Atre who had endeared himself to Marathi audiences everywhere through his singular literary style, humor and his accomplishments in various fields.
The film is a must in every home and should be compulsory viewing for the children & parents of today, who are exposed to materialistic and consumerist trends in modern society.