‘Magazine’: How Shubham Shevade turned a Maharashtra village into a dazzling Marathi indie

Shubham Shevade spent several years in Los Angeles working in the film industry before deciding to come back to his home state of Maharashtra. He felt a strong urge to tell stories rooted in his own cultural background, rather than continuing on the path of mainstream commercial cinema abroad. The decision to focus on a Marathi language project was driven by a desire to showcase regional voices and to bring attention to the everyday lives of people in a remote village that had rarely been depicted on screen.

‘Magazine’ breaks from traditional narrative formats by interweaving episodic vignettes that resemble short stories rather than following a single linear plot. Shevade explained that the structure emerged from his attempts to capture the fragmented nature of memory and community gossip, which often appear in the form of a local newsletter, hence the title. Production was marked by limited resources, and Shevade admits that at times he felt delusional, pushing the crew to work long hours in challenging weather while still trying to maintain artistic integrity. The team relied heavily on local talent, both in front of and behind the camera, which added authenticity but also required extra coordination.

The film’s release is expected to have a notable impact on the Marathi indie scene, which has been gaining momentum in recent years. By turning a modest village setting into a compelling visual experience, Shevade demonstrates that compelling stories do not need large budgets or star power. The project may encourage other regional filmmakers to explore unconventional storytelling methods and to invest in local talent. For audiences across Maharashtra, the film offers a reflection of their own cultural nuances, potentially strengthening the connection between cinema and community.