Rajendra Talak

Rajendra Talak is an Indian film director, from Goa, India. He is best known for his award-winning Konkani films, such as Aleesha and O Maria.[1][2]

Rajendra Talak
Rajendra Talak (right) being felicitated at IFFI-2011
Rajendra Talak (right) in 2011
Born
Comba, Margao, Goa
Occupation
  • Director
Years active1994 - present
Known for
SpousePriyanka Bidaye
Children3

Early life

Talak was born in Comba, Margao, Goa, India. He attended the Mahila Nutan and Popular High Schools in Margao and later joined Parvatibai Chowgule College, from which he graduated with a bachelor's of science. He was a state-ranked Table tennis player, and represented his college in Table tennis and Badminton competitions.

In the 1970s, Talak was a part of Tabla player Sushant Keshav Naik's Mahesh Kumar & Party music group. The group merged into the Gomant Vidya Niketan Kala Vibha, and staged award-winning dramas in Marathi. Talak's experience in drama and theatre led him to develop a passion for cinema. While composing the music for their play, Shitu, Talak decided that the story was worth making into a movie, beginning his journey into filmmaking.[1]

Career

Talak began his career with the tele-film Shitu in 1994, which was based on a child widow. Talak received praise for this film from director Shyam Benegal, whom he had invited for the film's release.[1]

In 2002, Talak decided to make a film about the pollution caused by mining in Goa. Upon learning that Goa would host the International Film Festival of India in 2004, Talak quickly finished the shooting and post production of Aleesha. The film premiered at the 35th International Film Festival of India and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Konkani at the 52nd National Film Awards.[1][3]

His next film was bilingual, titled Antarnad in Konkani and Savalee in Marathi, and premiered at the IFFI 2006. It won five national awards and seven state awards. He then made another bilingual film, "Saavariyaa.com" in 2009, about 'internet marriages' in Goa.[4] Rajendra Talak's 2010 film, O Maria, dealt with the loss of identity that Goa faced and was a commercial success in the state.[1][2][5][6]

In 2014, Talak released the Marathi film "A Rainy Day", which was about 'Corruption'. It was screened at the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai in 2014.[3]

In 2016, Talak was appointed as the Vice-Chairman of Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) by the Government of Goa.[7] Entertainment Society of Goa co-hosts the International Film Festival of India.[8]

In 2019, Rajendra Talak directed the drama film "Miranda House".

Incident at IFFI 2018

On 22 November 2018, at the 49th International Film Festival of India, delegates who had gathered to watch the Danish crime thriller, "The Guilty" began protesting at Kala Academy when they were not allowed to enter the theater. This led to an argument between them and the organizers, in which Talak was quoted as asking delegates from Kerala to "go back home". A complaint was filed by Kerala-based director Kamal KM to IFFI CEO, Ameya Abhyankar. Following this, 29 other Malayali delegates, including 11 National Film winners like Dileesh Pothen and Dr Biju, signed a petition requesting a formal apology from Talak. When asked to comment, Talak replied that he had simply told the delegates to go back as the show was completely booked.[9][10]

Filmography
YearTitle
1994 Shitu
2004 Aleesha
2006 Antarnad (Konkani)
2007 Savalee (Marathi)
2009 Saavariyaa.com
2010 O Maria
2014 A Rainy Day
2019 Miranda House

Personal life

Talak also runs a construction business named "Talak Constructions". He also co-founded the "Kalangan Centre for Performing Arts" in Margao, of which he has previously been the president.[1] Talak has planted trees under the Swachh Bharat Mission in his hometown of Margao. He helps in the landscaping of mini gardens in the city.[1]

Talak lives in Borda, Margao, with his wife, Priyanka Bidaye (who starred in Aleesha) and son Manas.[1]

References
  1. Monteiro, Lisa (27 September 2015). "Margao's constructive filmmaker". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  2. "O Maria crosses 100-day threshold". The Times of India. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  3. "National Award-winning filmmaker Rajendra Talak wants people to discuss corruption openly, on public platforms". News18. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  4. "My film would have made it to the Panorama section: Talak". Outlook India. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  5. "Goa Director's Konkani films to be screened on TV". Zee News. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  6. Lobo, Joanna (11 November 2012). "Konkani cinema: For love not money". DNA India. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  7. "Talak is new vice-chairman of Entertainment Society of Goa". India Today. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  8. "Makers can screen 'S Durga' at other fests: IFFI co-organiser Rajendra Talak". The New Indian Express. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  9. Malkarnekar, Gauree (23 November 2018). "At Iffi, Rajendra Talak tells Kerala delegates: Go back home". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  10. Soman, Deepa (26 November 2018). "IFFI controversy: Rajendra Talak expressed interest to meet after the incident, but I didn't want to go, says K M Kamal". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
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