Alok Rajwade and Iravati Harshe in Kaasav, directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar, which won National Film Award for Best Feature Film of 2016.

I wonder how many Maharashtrians - let alone other Indians - have seen Kaasav (Turtle), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film of 2016. Directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar, and produced by them and Dr Mohan Agashe, it is a sensitive, thoughtful social drama about mental illness. Of course, Marathi cinema has had a rich haul of eight National Film Awards this year, including the exceptional double whammy of Best Film for Bhave and Sukthankar, and Best Director for Rajesh Mapuskar for Ventilator. I congratulate all the winners of the National Awards. It is a different matter whether I agree with the award choices or not.