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Tatya Vinchu

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Tatya Vinchu
Zapatlela character
Tatya Vinchu in a promotional image for Zapatlela 2 (2013)
First appearance
Last appearance
Created byMahesh Kothare
Designed byRamdas Padhye
Portrayed byDilip Prabhavalkar (Human)[1]
Voiced byDilip Prabhavalkar
Performed byRamdas Padhye[a]
In-universe information
AliasTatya Bichoo[b]
SpeciesHuman (formerly)
Killer toy
GenderMale
OccupationCriminal mastermind
WeaponStrangling
Significant otherInspector Mahesh Jadhav
Supernatural abilityMrityunjay Mantra[1]
AlliesKubadya Khavis (deceased)
Baba Chamatkar (deceased)

Tatya Vinchu (/ˈtɑːtjə ˈvɪnʧuː/, Marathi pronunciation: [tɑːtʲaː vĩːntʃuː]), also known as Tatya Bichoo (/ˈtaːtʲaː ˈbiʧʰuː/), is a fictional character and antagonist from the Marathi-language comedy horror Zapatlela franchise. The character was created by Mahesh Kothare, designed by Ramdas Padhye, and is voiced by Dilip Prabhavalkar. Tatya Vinchu is a possessed puppet searching for the son Adinath Bolke (Adinath Kothare) of his previous prey Laxmikant Bolke (Laxmikant Berde), aiming to become human.[3][4]

Kothare developed the character Tatya Vinchu after observing his friend Ramdas Padhye's puppetry skills, inspired by the potential of making a puppet talk and influenced by the illusionist Lakshmikant. The name "Tatya Vinchu" combines elements from the film "Red Scorpion" with personal touches, merging "Tatya" from Kothare's make-up artist and "Vinchu," meaning "scorpion" in Marathi. The puppet's design, created by Padhye, integrated horror and comedy with Western influences, featuring various manipulative forms, such as a marionette and a live-hand puppet, to enhance expressiveness. For Zapatlela 2, the puppet was revamped with a foam exterior and advanced remote-controlled technology, requiring extensive planning over four months to achieve lifelike movements. Dilip Prabhavalkar was cast for the former human role of Tatya Vinchu due to his acting versatility and was also responsible for the character's voice, further enriching its portrayal.

Backstory

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Zapatlela

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Tatya Vinchu was once a feared and notorious crime lord in Mumbai, known for his ruthless and calculating nature. His criminal empire was built on a combination of intimidation, violence, and shrewd manipulation. Driven by a thirst for power and immortality, Tatya sought out Baba Chamatkar, a renowned magician, to obtain the "Mrityunjay Mantra" — a powerful voodoo spell that could transfer one's soul into any object or living being.

Tatya's ambitions were clear: he wanted to escape the clutches of mortality and continue his reign of terror indefinitely. During an intense standoff with the police, particularly with CID Inspector Mahesh Jadhav, Tatya was fatally wounded but managed to use the mantra to possess a ventriloquist's puppet as his last act of defiance. Despite his death, his malevolent spirit lived on through the puppet, leading to a series of events that terrorized Shrirangpur.

Zapatlela 2

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After the events of the first film, Tatya Vinchu's soul remained trapped in the puppet. His former sidekick, Kubadya Khavis, who had escaped from prison, sought to revive his old master to reclaim a stash of stolen diamonds worth a fortune. To achieve this, Kubadya convinced Baba Chamatkar to bring Tatya back to life. However, a struggle ensued, resulting in Kubadya's death, but not before a drop of his blood revived Tatya's soul.

Tatya, now reanimated, was furious and eager to complete his unfinished business. Discovering that Lakshya, the previous host, was deceased, he learned from Baba Chamatkar that his soul could now be transferred into Lakshya's son, Aditya. Determined to possess Aditya’s body and regain his full power, Tatya made his way to Shrirangpur, where Aditya, now a young ventriloquist enthusiast, unknowingly became his new target.

Tatya's sinister journey continued as he pursued Aditya, hoping to use him as a vessel to resume his reign of terror and solve the mystery of the hidden diamonds.

Development

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Character

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Mahesh Kothare came up with the character of Tatya Vinchu after observing his friend Ramdas Padhye's skillful use of words and the illusion of interaction between a puppet and its handler. The idea sparked when Kothare realized the potential of making a puppet actually talk, blending this concept with the character of the illusionist Lakshmikant.[5] Director Mahesh Kothare named the character Tatya Vinchu by blending elements from the English film "Red Scorpion" with a touch of personal influence. He combined the name "Tatya," from his make-up man, with "Vinchu," which translates to "scorpion" in Marathi, reflecting the essence of the original film while adding a unique local flavor.[6]

Design

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Tatya Vinchu's design was developed by the renowned puppeteer Ramdas Padhye to blend horror and comedy while reflecting Western influences. The puppet was crafted to emulate a vent puppet with moving lips, eyes, eyebrows, and neck, allowing for realistic and expressive manipulation. Its American origin was evident in its design, featuring Western-style clothing that starkly contrasted with the local rural setting, highlighting the cultural dissonance. To cater to different scenes, Padhye developed multiple variants: a half-body puppet for close-ups, a live-hand puppet for gestures and actions like strangling, a marionette for walking sequences, a non-articulating version for actor manipulation, and a damaged puppet for death scenes. The challenge of operating Tatya Vinchu involved staying hidden from the camera while working without the aid of live monitors or video playback. This required precise judgment and multiple retakes to ensure the puppet's appearance and performance met the director's vision.[2]

For Zapatlela 2, Tatya Vinchu was designed with a foam exterior and a latex-and-rubber interior to enhance both durability and flexibility. Ramdas Padhye teamed up with his wife Aparna and son Satyajit Padhye to create the new Tatya Vinchu. It featured remote and radio-controlled actuators to create smooth, lifelike movements. The compact shell presented challenges in fitting the advanced technology, which required careful planning and integration. The design process spanned over four months, with 40 days dedicated to refining the doll's movements. The extensive filming period of 38 days demonstrated the complexity and precision needed to achieve the desired lifelike effect. This effort underscored the commitment to blending modern technology with traditional puppetry for a groundbreaking result.[4]

Casting

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Dilip Prabhavalkar

Dilip Prabhavalkar was chosen for the Human role of Tatya Vinchu due to his exceptional acting skills. Director Mahesh Kothare and writer Ashok Patole saw Prabhavalkar's extensive experience and versatility as perfect for the character. Following in-depth discussions about the role and its demands, they presented the concept to Prabhavalkar, who was immediately drawn to the character's potential. Prabhavalkar also provide the voice over for the character.[7][3]

Mahesh Kothare quoted "Choosing the right actors is crucial for a film's success, and effective casting is particularly rewarding. Dilip Prabhavalkar as the villain was a smart choice. I had noticed his toothy look previously and recommended adding teeth for effect. He took charge of creating the kawali and overseeing all the arrangements. Tatya Vinchu is credited to Dilip Prabhavalkar and writer Ashok Patole."[8]

Appearances

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As of 2024, Tatya Vinchu has appeared in both Zapatlela (1993) and Zapatlela 2 (2013).[9] He is set to feature in Zapatlela Mi Tatya Vinchu, the third installment of the film series, which is scheduled for release in 2025.[10]

Powers and abilities

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Tatya Vinchu has several powerful abilities. He has taken "Mrityunjay Mantra" from his wizard Baba Chamtkar (portrayed by Raghvendra Kadkol) at Baba Chamtkar Mokshadham.[c]

Tatya Vinchu reciting the Mrityunjay Mantra on Laxmikant "Lakshya" Bolke (portrayed by Laxmikant Berde).
Recitation of the Mrityunjay Mantra. Duration: 16 seconds.
Mrityunjay Mantra

ऐम भगभुगे भगनी भागोदरी भगमासे यवनी ओम फट स्वाहा ऐम रिम क्लिम भै भो क्लिम्न क्लिम्न ओम फट स्वाहा
IAST – [aim bhagbhuge bhagnī bhāgodarī bhagmāse yavanī om phat svāḥā aim rim klim bhai bho klimna klimna om phat svāḥā]

Through the Mrityunjay Mantra, he can transfer his soul into any living or non-living object by chanting it three times, ensuring his existence even after death. Once inside an object, he can animate and control it, using it to frighten or harm others, as evidenced when he possessed a ventriloquist's puppet. Even in puppet form, Tatya demonstrates remarkable physical strength and resilience, enabling him to evade capture and inflict harm. His strategic intelligence further enhances his capabilities, allowing him to plan and execute complex schemes, including his attempts to transfer his soul into another body. Now that Lakshya is dead, Tatya aims to possess Lakshya's son, Aditya, as he learned from Baba Chamatkar that he could transfer his soul from the puppet to Aditya only, to regain his full power and continue his reign of terror, further highlighting his immortality through the rebirth of his soul.[12][13][14][15][16]

Weakness

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Mahesh Jadhav (played by Mahesh Kothare) is a CID Inspector who successfully shoots the Tatya Vinchu, preventing him from possessing another body.

Tatya Vinchu, despite his formidable powers and the ability to possess others through the Mrityunjay Mantra, has several weaknesses that ultimately lead to his downfall. His reliance on the puppet form leaves him vulnerable, as he cannot physically interact with the world like a living being. Additionally, his overconfidence in his invincibility blinds him to the resourcefulness of his opponents. Mahesh Jadhav, the CID inspector, capitalizes on this vulnerability by using his tactical skills and determination. During their final confrontation, Mahesh displays quick thinking and bravery, managing to shoot Tatya Vinchu right between the eyebrows, the only way to truly defeat him. This critical shot disrupts Tatya's attempt to possess Aditya, demonstrating that while Vinchu's supernatural abilities make him a daunting adversary, they can be overcome through intelligence, courage, and precise action. In the end, Mahesh's resolve and strategic planning not only save Aditya but also ensure that Tatya Vinchu is permanently vanquished.[12]

Legacy and impact

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The character is considered to be one of the most iconic villains in Marathi cinema.[d] This was evident in 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Tatya Vinchu was featured in a humorous public service announcement on YouTube. The PSA, which emphasized social distancing, handwashing, and mask-wearing, quickly went viral.[20][21][22] The character's impact has persisted into the social media era, where Tatya Vinchu is frequently used in memes, demonstrating his lasting appeal and relevance even after many years.[2]

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  • In the Zapatlela's 2001 Telugu remake Ammo Bomma, Tatya Vinchu's character is reimagined as Gangaram.[13]
  • In the 2012 film Tatya Vinchu Lage Raho, which stars Sanjay Narvekar, the title and the animated character are named after the Tatya Vinchu.[23]

Notes

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  1. ^ Padhye control devices like rods or strings are used to manipulate gestures, movements, and in some cases, the body, head, limbs, mouth, and eyes.[2] He was assistanted by his wife Aparna for both parts and by son Satyajit Padhye for second part.
  2. ^ In the 1995 Hindi dubbed version of Zapatlela, titled Khulona Bana Khalnayak, the name Tatya Bichoo is used for Tatya Vinchu.
  3. ^ In the poster released by the makers for Zapatlela 2, this mantra is written in devnagari script as – see.[11]
  4. ^ Multiple references[17][18][19][8]

References

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  1. ^ a b Dhusiya, Mithuraaj (2017-09-13). Indian Horror Cinema: (En)gendering the Monstrous. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-351-38648-7.
  2. ^ a b c Glaser, Ed (2022-03-07). How the World Remade Hollywood: Global Interpretations of 65 Iconic Films. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-4467-7.
  3. ^ a b "'तात्या विंचू'साठी दिलीप प्रभावळकरचं का? महेश कोठारे म्हणतात". Loksatta (in Marathi). 2020-11-02. Archived from the original on 2023-09-03. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  4. ^ a b "No Strings Attached". The Indian Express. 2013-06-16. Archived from the original on 2014-10-18. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  5. ^ "'झपाटलेला' सिनेमासाठी तात्या विंचूचं पात्र कसं सुचलं? महेश कोठारेंनी सांगितला 'तो' खास किस्सा". Lokmat (in Marathi). 2024-06-09. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  6. ^ Bodke, Chetan (2023-11-29). "'झपाटलेला'च्या दिग्दर्शकांना 'तात्याविंचू' हे नाव कसं सुचलं? महेश कोठारेंनी सांगितला 'तो' किस्सा". Saam TV (in Marathi). Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  7. ^ "म्हणून तात्याविंचूसाठी दिलीप प्रभावळकर यांचीच निवड झालेली, दिग्दर्शकाने सांगितला किस्सा". Maharashtra Times. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  8. ^ a b वेमूल, स्वाती (2021-08-04). "'तात्या विंचू'साठी दिलीप प्रभावळकरच का?". Sakal (in Marathi). Archived from the original on 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2024-09-20.
  9. ^ "Cinema gets an extra dimension, and bigger bucks with 3D". Mint. Archived from the original on 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  10. ^ "ओम फट स्वाहा!!! तात्या विंचू पुन्हा प्रेक्षकांच्या भेटीला, 'झपाटलेला 3'चा पहिला लूक समोर". Zee 24 taas (in Marathi). 2024-04-17. Archived from the original on 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  11. ^ "Zapatlela 2 (#1 of 11)". www.impawards.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  12. ^ a b Zee Talkies (2024-08-01). Zapatlela Full Marathi Movie In Hindi | Tatya Vinchu Full Movie | Laxmikant Berde_ Mahesh Kothare | (Motion picture) (in Hindi). Retrieved 2024-09-18 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ a b "Child's Play in India: Four Adaptations". www.braineater.com. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  14. ^ "'तात्या विंचू'...परत येतोय.. - Majha Paper". www.majhapaper.com. 2013-05-05. Archived from the original on 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2024-09-17.
  15. ^ "Mumbai Musings". Outlook India. 2022-02-05. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  16. ^ "'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' to 'Zapatlela': Evergreen Marathi comedies to watch when you are under lockdown". The Times of India. 2020-04-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  17. ^ "12 Horror Movie Characters That Almost Killed Us With Laughter And Made Scary Films A Fun Watch". India Times. 2020-06-01. Archived from the original on 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  18. ^ "ओम फट्ट स्वाहा ते डोळे बघ डोळे... हे आहेत मराठीतले गाजलेले खलनायक ज्यांनी उडवली सगळ्यांची झोप, तुमचा आवडता व्हिलन कोण?". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  19. ^ "तात्या विंचूला ३० वर्ष झाली पूर्ण: लाखो चाहत्यांचे सत्यजित पाध्ये यांनी मानले आभार". Time Maharashtra (in Marathi). 2023-04-16. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  20. ^ "Tatya vinchu is back to remind to stay safe during corona virus scare". My Mahanagar (in Marathi). 2021-02-25. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  21. ^ "Tatya Vinchu is back to remind to stay safe during coronavirus scare". The Times of India. 2020-03-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2023-07-12. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  22. ^ "तात्या विंचू म्हणतोय चला करूया Corona चा ओम फट् स्वाहा!". Mumbaitak (in Marathi). 2021-06-04. Archived from the original on 2024-09-15. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  23. ^ Tatya Vinchu Lage Raho (2013) - Trivia - IMDb. Retrieved 2024-09-16 – via www.imdb.com.

Further reading

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