Pranali all set for release

Pranali - The Tradition, a movie on the tradition of temple dancers that prevailed in certain parts of India and the plight faced by these unfortunate women is releasing on May 2. This will be Harward Entertainment"s debut into Indian cinema and will be released in four languages Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam - simultaneously.

Nargis, who acted in Garam Masala, is the main protagonist. The film is directed by Hridesh Kamble, assistant to big names like John Mathew Mathan, Mahesh Bhatt and Vikram Bhatt.

The movie talks about the ugly tradition of dedicating innocent young girls from the lower castes (read less privileged) as temple dancers, only to be exploited by the upper caste elite. Pranali dares to bare the thin dividing line that exists between the young girls who are married to the presiding deity and prostitution.

The title character, Pranali, is played by Nargis. Forcibly made a devadasi, she fights to free herself from the quagmire of serving the temple elites" needs.

Though custom dictates that she can't rear children, Pranali struggles to bring up her illegitimate child. Her battle against the custom and how the other devadasis are inspired by her example to liberate themselves forms the plot of the movie.

Bollywood singer Kaliash Kher debuts as music director, collaborating with composers Paresh and Naresh.

Dance plays a key role in Pranali and renowned Kathak exponent Pandit Birju Maharaj was consulted for the dances choreographed by Saroj Khan. Earlier, he had supervised a part of the choreography in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas.

Upendra Limaye, Raman Trikha, Sudha Chandran, Dipshikha and Vinay Apte are in the supporting cast.