The Marathi entertainment industry recently gathered for a spectacular showcase of art, culture, and social commitment at Chirayoo 2026. Organised by the Shelar Mama Foundation to coincide with the Hindu New Year, Gudi Padwa, the event served as a prestigious platform to honour both on-screen stars and the tireless technicians working behind the scenes. This grand celebration brought together the entire fraternity, celebrating talent with immense enthusiasm and grandeur.
A defining highlight of this year’s ceremony was the introduction of the ‘Beej Gudi’ (Seed Gudi). In a creative and eco-conscious twist on tradition, this installation was crafted using seeds embedded within traditional fabric. This symbolic Gudi did more than just represent cultural heritage; it promoted a powerful message of environmental awareness. By ensuring the seeds can eventually be planted to grow into trees, the initiative successfully blended Maharashtrian customs with a commitment to a greener future, leaving a lasting impact on all attendees.
Since its inception in 2006, the Shelar Mama Foundation has remained dedicated to recognising excellence within the Marathi art world while emphasising social responsibility. This year, the tradition continued as actor Suyash Tilak was presented with the Environment-Friendly Award, supported by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, for his notable work. The foundation also ensured that the industry’s technicians received due credit. Awardees included Rahuli Nagare for costume design, Sachin Gurav for film poster designing, and Ganesh Gargote for film publicity and PR. Makeup artist Santosh Gilbile and dubbing artist Mangesh Satpute were also among those felicitated.
The event witnessed the presence of prominent personalities such as Sanjay Jadhav, Sachit Patil, Avadhoot Gupte, and Shruti Marathe. National Award-winning talents including Amruta Rao, Sujay Dahake, and Shrinivas Pokale were given special recognition for their achievements. During the proceedings, Sushant Shelar expressed his gratitude to dignitaries such as Eknath Shinde and Shrikant Shinde, reiterating that the foundation’s core objective is to provide a platform for those contributing meaningfully to society and the arts. He also shared a heartfelt message acknowledging the hard work of farmers as the true source of prosperity. With its perfect blend of art, culture, and social awareness, Chirayoo 2026 turned out to be a truly memorable and inspiring celebration.
