“Don’t cry, be bold and address your issues” – Raj Thackeray
MNS Chief Raj Thackeray has a terrific sense of humour. Whenever he is asked to speak at functions, he makes spontaneous remarks to create laughter among the audience. On the occasion of Music and website release function of the Marathi horror film ‘Sa ..Sasucha’, the charismatic leader while appreciating the efforts of the film maker Kishore Belekar, asked him if he needed any help from him. “ I can help you a lot with my own experience with horror films. My own film is treated sometimes by critics, as horror film,” he remarked with a pause; allowing the jam packed elite audience to burst into laughter. Obviously, he was referring to his recent ‘Khall and Phataak’ remarks and aftereffects.
While boosting the confidence of Marathi film makers, he stated, “ You focus on internal matters of the film and we will look into the external requirements. I will certainly look into your grievances with the Multiplexes.” Referring to the meeting he had planned with the Producers of Marathi films the next day, he appealed to all those and artistes to come forward openly with their issues. “ Don’t cry, be bold and address your issues. I will not ask for any favour in return. Don’t be scared that in future I may ask you to join my party’s election campaign or meetings etc.. All I can assure you that I am playing no politics with this issue. It’s my genuine effort to sort out your problems,” he remarked categorically. At the same time he appealed to Marathi film lovers to go and watch Marathi films at Multiplexes “I assure you that henceforth they will have to screen Marathi films during prime time. Now, it all depends on your response.”
Kishore Belekar, who is directing this film, thanked his producers Harish and Sunita Patil, Nupur Rathod besides thanking Sameer Dixit who is distributing the film and Videocon Group, who are presenting this film. Among those present on the occasion were Yatin karyekar, lead actress of the film- Sonali Kulkarni, Bharati Achrekar, Satish Pulekar, Lyricist & music director Sandeep Khare and young Music directors Viraj and Ankur, who have provided the background music for this film.
‘Sa..Sasucha, is a thriller which revolves around a woman and her deceased mother-in-law. It’s an unusual story about the quest of this woman who longs to find answers to the strange incidents that she experiences in the new house after marriage.The film is full of special and terrific sound effects, as experienced after watching the trailor of the film. While speaking to Media persons after the function, Director Kishore Belekar spoke about some of the issues during film’s promotion. “In some theatres, they were hesitant to show the trailor of my film, even against payment, which is strange”. Starring Sunil Barve, Sonali Kulkarni, Vinay Apte, Shubhangi Gokhale, Yatin Karyekar, Kamlesh Sawant, Omkar Karve, Vimal Mhatre, arun Bhadsavle, Rajesh Bhosale, Anita Ninave and k. Vrushali, the film is due for release on 27th August 2010.
High Court orders Screening of Marathi films mandatory in Mumbai
Gone are the days, when Marathi films were released in only two or three single screen theatres in Mumbai. In the recent past, some of the Marathi films even saw the multiplexes opening their doors, looking at the overwhelming response they witnessed. But, the majority of the single screen theatres were reluctant to release Marathi films. Indeed, Marathi films have been doing a good business posing as a big competition for the Bollywood, especially in Mumbai. No wonder, some of the Bollywood film distributors started blocking all the theatres in Mumbai , preventing the release of Marathi films and the theatre owners only encouraged such unethical practice. This was a deliberate move to only kill the popularity of Marathi films.
Such a step motherly treatment to regional cinema received a strong opposition from Bangalore, when the South Indian Film Federation warned the theatre owners against blocking all the theatres with a new Bollywood release during the first week. It had only prevented the regional cinema to find theatres for release.And, their protest and warning did help to curb such an unprincipled practice. In a place like Mumbai, the theatre owners were only taking advantage of the neglect by Maharashtra Government and the tolerance of Marathi film makers towards this issue. There is already a government resolution of 1968, making it mandatory for theatre owners to screen a minimum of 112 shows per year. But, the theatre owners only disobeyed it and had moved to court recently challenging this resolution.
However, the latest verdict of the Bombay High Court has come timely giving a great relief to the Marathi film industry. As per this ruling, all single screen theatres across greater Mumbai will have to screen at least 44 shows of Marathi films every year. This will have to be implemented in such a way that at least for four week in a year they will have to screen 11 shows of Marathi films per week, that too between 12 noon and 9 pm. Isn’t that a great victory for Marathi film makers ? MMW takes this opportunity to congratulate the entire Marathi film industry on this happy occasion; but at the same time expect quality films, so as to keep the audience with them.
There were arguments and counter arguments before the division bench of Justice gave their ruling. Some of the arguments in favour of theatre owners also went to the extent of saying that Marathi people were more keen on watching Hindi films. But, the sensible division bench passed the most welcome verdict which goes in favour of Marathi film industry. Nobody should take Marathi people for granted. They are admirers of good cinema. If there are bad Bollywood films, they always turn their back to them; but if there are good quality films no matter whether in Marathi or Hindi, they never miss them. Marathi film makers should take note of this audience psychology and offer something new and different to attract good crowd. And who says, Marathi films are only watched by Marathi people ? In the recent past, Marathi films, released in multiplexes witnessed 50% of non marathi audience. Further, prints of Marathi films released with English sub titles, have received multiple audience even at international level.