For the past few years Marathi films have been getting step motherly treatment from Multiplex owners in Maharashtra, in spite of getting the tax exemptions from the state government. As per the existing agreement between Maharashtra Government and Multiplex owners, it is obligatory for Multiplexes to screen Marathi films but many Multiplexes are either avoiding the screening or screening Marathi films at odd timings or giving some excuses. The High court ruling on this issue is also very clear. Then why can’t our Maharashtra Government take strict action against such multiplex owners?

On the occasion of the third anniversary of the Manase Chitrapat Worker’s Association, Manase chief Mr. Raj Thackeray took strong note of this issue and has issued instructions to his party workers to prepare a list of such theatre owners, who are not screening Marathi films from 11th August onwards. For the past few days this issue is in the news, as few multiplex owners have been deliberately avoiding the screening of Marathi films.

After the successful run of films like ‘Natarang’, ‘Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho’, ‘Mi Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’, ‘Harischandrachi factory’,’Haapus’, ‘Mumbai-Pune-Mumbai’ in the recent past, even the Film Trade Analyst had predicted that Marathi films would give a tough competition to Bollywood in Maharashtra. MarathiMovieworld had also received some complaints from viewers about the raw deal given to Marathi films by Multiplexes in Maharashtra. In one recent complaint against a Multiplex Kulraj Broadway in Borivali, it was alleged that the only show of Marathi film ‘Jetaa’ was cancelled at the last minute, giving an excuse that the Projector was not working. In the same theatre they do not allow advance booking of Marathi films, whereas advance booking is allowed for Hindi films. Isn’t that something strange?

In another recent development, it has also come to notice that while issuing licenses to some Multiplexes, there is also a condition that they are supposed to reserve one of the screening halls for presentation of Drama (stage play). But, how many of them have such a facility and who is checking the same ?