Vasant Mokashi Punekar | Photo courtesy: Bhagya Prakash K.
Vasant Mokashi Punekar, who wrote the screenplay for Shankar Nag’s cult-classic Kannada film Accident, Vasant Mokashi passed away on Sunday (7 July). Vasant Mokashi, a resident of Dharwad, was ill for a long time. He is survived by his wife Asha.
Vasanth, son of famous Kannada writer Shankar Mokashi Punekar, has made this film. Gangavva Gangamayi It is based on his father’s popular novel of the same name. Vasanth spent most of his time as a writer in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
“It was great working with him Accident,” said Ranga Shankara founder and actress Arundhati Nag. “Whenever I spoke to him, I felt a sense of enlightenment. He often visited Ranga Shankara with his wife. I regret not being able to work with him more,” she said.
Accident, Known for its visually stunning storytelling, the crime drama won the National Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 1985. The film won five Karnataka State Film Awards, including Best Screenplay for Vasanth Mokashi. In an interview with Film Portal Film Companion, Mokashi told the story Accident The film was inspired by a real incident from Mumbai.
Noted author and film critic N. Manu Chakravarti said Vasant Mokashi had a very brilliant visual sense. “He did not write regular linear plots. He liked to create abstract realities driven by images,” Mr Chakravarti said, adding that he was very fond of Hindi poetry, with Dhoomil’s being one of his favourites. Mokashi was also a great admirer of filmmakers Kamal Swaroop and Mani Kaul. In 2014, Mokashi served as the artistic director of the Karnataka International Children’s Film Festival.
