The Clue Marathi writer Deshpande, familiarly
The Answer PULA
The answer "PULA" fits the crossword clue because it refers to the famous Marathi writer Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar, who is often called "Pula" as a nickname. He is well-known in Marathi literature and has made significant contributions to the field. The clue uses "familiarly," indicating that the answer is a familiar or affectionate name for the writer. This makes "PULA" a fitting answer for the crossword puzzle.