Raj Thackeray takes up issue of Marathi films
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 ?
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.