By: Express News ServicePune | September 28, 2025 08:24 PM IST 3 min readProminent actor Gashmeer Mahajani emphasised that Marathi film industry can achieve greater success by creating films that safeguard cultural values rather than imitating others, noting that despite a richness in content, the industry often lacks imagination and visual splendour.(Photo: Gashmeer Mahajani / Instagram)Prominent actor Gashmeer Mahajani emphasised that Marathi film industry can achieve greater success by creating films that safeguard cultural values rather than imitating others, noting that despite a richness in content, the industry often lacks imagination and visual splendour.Mahajani was addressing a seminar held on Saturday at the 6th Mumba International Film Festival (MIFF) in Pune and said that the Marathi film industry would attract a wider audience if it broadened its horizons.The festival was organised by the Mumba Film Foundation in collaboration with the Central Government’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The seminar took place at the National Film Archive of India (NFAI).The panel included filmmaker Arjun Ajith (from Kerala), short film director Mayur Kulkarni, writer Hemant Bele, director Sujay Dahake, and Gashmeer Mahajani. Abhishek Avchar moderated the discussion.Discussions on Cinema and SocietySujay Dahake commented that his creative drive prevented him from pursuing a traditional education, leading him to the film industry. “It was never my dream to become an actor or director, but I stepped into directing because of a strong desire to deeply study this subject. My work isn’t politically influenced, but I believe that sociology and politics exist in every field.”Arjun Ajith stressed the need for filmmaking on new and diverse subjects. “It’s essential to work on the story, screenplay, subject, and content. It is inappropriate that producers don’t prioritise content. Creating films on diverse content is challenging.”Mayur Kulkarni said he ventured into filmmaking because the advertising field didn’t offer enough scope for creativity. He advised the youth to use mediums like advertising to build financial stability but to reserve their creativity for filmmaking.Story continues below this adHemant Bele stated that the present era is a golden age for both advertising and filmmaking, offering numerous opportunities. He believes that even with the use of Artificial Intelligence, the industry faces no threat as long as the artist possesses creativity.Creative Artists Embrace ChallengesIn an interview segment titled ‘The Dynamic Duo and Iconic Poesy’, renowned lyricist, scriptwriter, and director duo Siddharth Singh and Garima Wahal spoke with Ashwani Anil Kumar. They discussed how the seeds of a story are often planted by social events and news, leading to excellent creations. However, writing songs for films requires adherence to the director’s vision and the script’s demand. They noted that conveying a deep meaning through just a few lines of a song is challenging, but a creative artist can easily overcome this challenge.They emphasised that differences of opinion naturally arise when working together, but the journey is smoother when opinions are respected, ego is set aside, and one is willing to listen. For a great creation, a writer must respect their own creativity to find joy in the work. It’s crucial to remain calm and control anger during periods of creative block.Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Marathipune