YouTuber and actor Prajakta Koli is set to make her Marathi film debut with “Krantihoti Vidya Marathi Mahyam,” a project she feels marks a natural and exciting return to her cultural origins.
“It definitely is like coming back to my roots. Marathi is my mother tongue, it’s the language I speak at home,” Koli explains. While she always wanted to do a Marathi film, she was “waiting for something that felt secure, safe and exciting” before taking the leap.
The 32-year-old credits the expansive reach of the internet for breaking down language barriers in cinema, which prompted her to take on a regional film. “The reach of content today is incredible. Stories in every language are now accessible across states and even countries, and that’s great for creators,” she notes. She believes the universal theme of her debut film will resonate with audiences everywhere.
Koli also acknowledges the crucial role of the audience in the rise of regional cinema. She states that it’s the viewers who are “consuming more regional content, sharing it and talking about it,” which in turn encourages producers, directors, and writers to invest further in such projects.
Reflecting on her relatively new acting career, which began with the web series “Mismatched” in 2019, Koli feels the Marathi film came at the perfect time. While she never feels out of place on a set, the Marathi project provided a unique sense of belonging. “Usually on sets, I look for fellow Maharashtrians to chat with in Marathi. This time, everyone spoke the language—it instantly felt like home,” she recalls.
The opportunity came after she was impressed by the work of the filmmakers, specifically their vision to portray female characters as “progressive, equal and relatable.” After watching the film First Class Jabbaade, she told the makers she’d love to audition for their next project, which ultimately led to this opportunity. Koli adds that she is optimistic that acting opportunities for women are generally improving.