WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Leena Dias (nee Fernandes) the heroine of the first Konkani film Mogacho Aunddo (Love’s crazing) is no more. She expired in Mumbai on 30th July 2021 after she was bedridden,
Mogacho Aunddo was released on 24th April 1950 simultaneously in Mumbai and Goa.It was produced under the banner of ETICA films (Exchange Talkies of India, China & Africa and its producer and director was Al Jerry Braganza a native of Mapusa , Goa. Leena Fernandes was the heroine of the film.
When the producer of the film was promenading on Marine Drive, he noticed huge posters of English, Hindi and Marathi films. A thought came to his mind, Why not make a Konkani film. The producer who was already in the film line thus set out to fulfil his ambition.
His hunt for a heroine for the movie landed him at the office of United Artists- a firm of foreign distributors of films. There, he spotted a young girl Leena Fernandes whom he blatantly posed a question.”Would you like to be a heroine in my movie?” With the consent of her parents, this hurdle was cleared. The production of the film commenced on 31st July 1949 with muhurat ceremony performed by Fr. Macario Pereira and the film was released on 24th April 1950 simultaneously in Bombay and Goa.
The production of the film did not have a smooth sailing and had many hiccups as the then Portuguese regime of Goa clamped restrictions in shooting of films, harassment at the customs office and so on. Goans in Bombay were eagerly awaiting the release of this first film in Konkani
In my interview with Leena, she informed me the actors were paid on monthly basis and according to her, she received about Rs 500/- per month. The entire film was shot within six months for which the actors had to actually recite the dialogues and deliver the songs as there was no dubbing facility. A complement of 27 musicians led by Joe Perry and Peter D’Mello led their support for this film which was shot in a studio at Chembur with outdoor scenes of Goa.
Al Jerry Braganza had a stint in Bollywood. He was associated with Indian News Parade (now Films Division) as also with Geeta Pictures and Vishwa Shanti Films. He also worked for noted yesteryear comedian Bhagwan. He was also the assistant director and producer of Navkala Films. With this background, he produced Mogacho Anvddo under the banner of ETICA Films. Al Jerry also showed his capability in yodeling and acting. The story of the film is based on the novel of Dioguinho de Melo entitled Mogachi Odd (The Crave for love).
Al Jerry Braganza and Leena Fernandes enact the main roles and James Braganza provides the comic moments. The film has a mix of scenes from Bombay and Goa. The Goan scenes captured are Old Goa Churches, Mapusa Church, Calangute beach, Mandovi River, Aguada Tower, Panjim’s Altinho and Campal. The unique feature of the film is it did not cast any of the stage artists.The film show was accompanied by a documentary on Our Lady of Fatima’s visit to Goa,
She has also sung the title song of the film. She was born on 19th December 1929 in Mumbai and breathed her last on 30th July 2021 in Mumbai and was wife of late Joseph Dias, She leaves behind a son Elvis and two daughter Phylis and Joana. She is related to well known Konkani actors Cyriaco and Jessie Dias
