Rajendra Talak is an Indian film director, hailing from the coastal state of Goa. He is best known for his award-winning Konkani films, Aleesha and O Maria.
Early life
Talak was born in Comba, Margao. He completed his education from Mahila Nutan and Popular High Schools in Margao and later joined Parvatibai Chowgule College, from which he graduated in science. He always loved sports and in school, he was a state ranking table tennis player, and even went on to represent his college in table tennis and badminton. In the 1970s, Talak's friend, Sushant Keshav Naik, created a music group called Mahesh Kumar & Party, of which Talak was an active part of. The group later merged into the Gomant Vidya Niketan Kala Vibha, staging many dramas in Marathi and even winning many awards. Here, Talak gained experience in the many aspects of theatre, which led him to a love for cinema. While handling the music for one of their plays, Shitu, Talak decided that the story was worth making into a movie, which began his journey into filmmaking.
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 the noted director Shyam Benegal, whom he had invited for the film's release. 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. His next film was bilingual, titled Antarnaad in Konkani and Savalee in Marathi, and it premiered at IFFI 2006. It went on to win five national awards and seven state awards. He then made another bilingual film, Saavariyaa.com in 2010, which was about internet marriage in Goa. Talak's 2011 film, O Maria, dealt with the loss of identity that Goa faced and was a commercial success in the state. In 2014, Talak released the Marathi filmA Rainy Day, which was about corruption. It was screened at the Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai in 2014. In 2016, Talak was appointed as the Vice-Chairman of Entertainment Society of Goa by the Government of Goa. ESG co-hosts the International Film Festival of India.
Filmography
Year
Title
1994
Shitu
2004
Aleesha
2006
Antarnaad Savalee
2010
Saavariyaa.com
2011
O Maria
2014
A Rainy Day
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 delegatesto go back as the show was completely booked.
Personal life
Family
Talak lives in Borda, Margao, with his wife, Priyanka Bidaye and son Manas. He has two sons from a previous marriage, Gaurav and Rajat.
Other ventures
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.
Community work
Talak has planted trees under the Swachh Bharat Mission in his hometown of Margao. He also helps out in the landscaping of mini gardens in the city.
