Multiplexes in Mumbai have been playing tricks with Marathi film makers, by not allowing prime time shows and screens and giving prominence to some big banner Hindi films. This has resulted in non availability of screens for Marathi films. As per the guidelines by state Government issued to all Multiplexes in Maharashtra, one screen is supposed to be reserved for Marathi films. But, with great difficulty, Marathi films manage to get one show at few multiplexes and that too in the morning or afternoon hours. Last time Mr. Raj Thackeray had reminded multiplex owners to make once screen available for Marathi cinema and that too at prime time. But, it seems that there is no change in the attitude of many multiplex owners. Even the State Government, doesn’t seem to be bothered about this discrimination.

The recent example is about the latest released film ‘Bharatiya’. This film is released by Mr. Abhijit Gholap, who has already one national award for his debut film ‘Deool’ last year. ‘Bharatiya’ was released on Friday 10th August 2012 and before completion of one week, PVR Cinemas were getting ready to release ‘Ek tha Tiger’ on Wednesday 15th August, making maximum screens available for this new Hindi film with a big banner. This was certainly an injustice to a Marathi film, which was drawing good crowd.

The film’s team therefore decided to meet the management of PVR and they received support from MNS Chitrapat Wing headed by Amey Khopkar, who also agreed to accompany them to PVR Lower Parel Management office. In the meanwhile, Shiv Sena Chitrapat Shakha headed by Mr. Panse also joined the agitation and met the management separately, requesting them not to remove the film ‘Bharatiya’ for the sake of accommodating more screens for ‘Ek Tha Tiger’.

When Mr. Amey Khopkar and Ms. Shalini Thackeray walked in with their delegation at PVR Lower Parel, the producer of the film joined him to the management office, to discuss the issue. And they succeeded in getting an assurance from the management that the film ‘Bharatiya’ will not be removed from 15th August 2012, to accommodate the new Hindi film. After their meeting, Mr. Amey Khopkar of MNS Chitrapat Wing, spoke to the media and made it very clear that they received written assurance from the management about not removing ‘Bharatiya’ from their multiplex on 15th August . “But, in case, they fail to keep their promise, we will deal them in our own way. This is also a message to other multiplex owners.” he said.

The entire team of ‘Bharatiya’ was present to lodge their protest to the management. To support them, Mr. Mahesh Kothare and Mr. Shrirang Godbole were also present on the occasion. Mr. Mahesh Kothare while speaking to the media, said that it was a pity that in the state of Maharashtra, Marathi films have to fight for their rights. “Just go to other states in south and you will not find such interference from Hindi films. Over there, they have screens in Multiplexes reserved for their local language films,” he pointed out. Mr. Shrirang Godbole explained that the Marathi films have been doing extremely well these days and cited an example of Mahesh Manjrekar’s film ‘Kaksparsha’ which had completed 100 days. “This particular film ‘Bharatiya’ is made by none other than a person who won National award for his previous film ‘Deool’. Isn’t that an insult to him, when his latest film also is based on national integration and is drawing good crowd?” he questioned.

Others who lodged their strong protest against the attitude of Multiplex owners were Jitendra Joshi, Makarand Anaspure and Meeta Savarkar. They all were of the opinion that other multiplex owners should also follow what PVR management had agreed and keep one screen exclusively for Marathi films and that too at prime time. Surprisingly, besides Mahesh Kothare and Shrirang Godbole, no other Marathi film makers were present to support this fight against injustice to Marathi films.