After 16 years, Zee Studios and filmmaker Ravi Jadhav are coming together once again for a film centred on Marathi lavani and folk culture. Their earlier collaboration Natrang explored the world of tamasha and lavani, and now the team is returning with Phulwara. The release date of the film has been announced, with Phulwara set to arrive in cinemas on 14th January 2027, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
The makers have also released a new poster along with the announcement. The poster features a mask of Goddess Ambabai placed on a traditional puja plate. The line on the poster reads, ‘आई अंबाबाईचा आशीर्वाद घ्या आणि अस्सल मराठी लावणीला बळ द्या’, which highlights the film’s focus on authentic Marathi lavani. The makers have specifically highlighted the words ‘अस्सल मराठी लावणी’, creating curiosity about how the traditional folk art form will be presented in the film and how it will connect with the present day.
The story of Phulwara is being kept under wraps for now. The makers have not revealed details about the main characters or announced the cast. It is also not yet known how the story will connect the world of lavani with changing times. However, the film is expected to look beyond just the stage performances and explore the culture, traditions and changing identity of this folk art form.
Music for Phulwara has been composed by Harsh and Vijay, the musical duo associated with The Folk Aakhyan. Ishwar Tarabai Andhare, the writer and performer of The Folk Aakhyan, has written the story, screenplay, dialogues and songs. The film brings together their understanding of folk art, the way the younger generation views folk music and Ravi Jadhav’s long association with this cultural form.
Talking about the film, director Ravi Jadhav says, “‘नटरंग’नंतर तब्बल सोळा वर्षांनी पुन्हा एकदा तमाशापट करण्याचं धाडस करतोय. ‘धाडस’ यासाठी, कारण तमाशा हा महाराष्ट्राच्या लोककलेचा प्राण आहे आणि लावणी ही त्या लोककलेची सम्राज्ञी! या समृद्ध कलापरंपरेवर चित्रपट साकारणं ही मोठी जबाबदारी आहे. याच जबाबदारीचं भान ठेवून आम्ही प्रेक्षकांसाठी ‘फुलवरा’ साकारला आहे.”
He further explains that while Natrang was set in the 1970s, Phulwara is set in 2015. According to Jadhav, tamasha has changed over the last 50 to 55 years, but the efforts of artists to protect and present authentic Marathi folk art remain strong. He also highlights the struggle and sacrifices of these artists.
Zee Studios Marathi business head Bhavesh Janvalekar says, “झी स्टुडिओज, रवी जाधव आणि लावणीप्रधान चित्रपट हे समीकरण नटरंगनंतर पुन्हा एकदा प्रेक्षकांना बघायला मिळणार याचा विशेष आनंद आहे. या चित्रपटाची संकल्पना ऐकल्यापासूनच त्याबद्दल आमच्या मनात कमालीची उत्सुकता होती. फुलवराच्या निमित्ताने झी स्टुडिओजची नव्या वर्षाची सुरुवात अत्यंत आश्वासक असेल याचा आम्हाला विश्वास आहे. मराठी लावणीचं एक अस्सल रुप यातून प्रेक्षकांना बघायला मिळेल आणि ते सर्वांना आवडेल याबद्दल मनात कोणतीही शंका नाही.”
Produced by Zee Studios and Athansh Communications, Phulwara will release in theatres on 14th January 2027. Details about the cast, the story and the different shades of lavani featured in the film are expected to be revealed later.
