The Cultural Minister of Maharashtra State Mr. Vinod Tawde made an official announcement yesterday , stating that all multiplex owners will be asked to allot prime time to Marathi films. And, we saw mixed reactions coming from different people. Though Marathi film industry and especially the Marathi film makers welcomed the move, those, perhaps opposed to this announcement, could not digest it. Our own Marathi news channels highlighted their comments, which were tweeted by them on social networking sites.
Those who opposed, felt that force from the Government was not required on multiplexes, to show Marathi films at prime time. But none of the news reporters questioned such people, as to why the multiplexes were given special concessions ,including tax exemptions by the State Government ? Moreover, there is already a Government order issued in 2010, asking all the multiplexes to compulsorily show a Marathi film, for fixed number of days in a year. But, it was not implemented strictly. Therefore, a debate on this issue was not necessary. In fact, our Marathi news channels should have pointed out, how in Southern India, this rule was strictly implemented in multiplexes, to show local regional films. Surprisingly, our multiplexes are allotting shows to other regional language films. Isn’t that an injustice on Marathi cinema ?
Anyway, on IBN Lokmat channel , we found good suggestions coming from invitees like Abhijit Panse, Aditya Sarpotdar, Gajendra Ahire & Sameer Dixit. But, there was no need to give importance to others, who were against the growth of Marathi cinema. Don’t think, the entire Bollywood is against showing Marathi films at prime time. If it was so, why would some of the Bollywood film makers produce Marathi films ? It clearly indicates that there are good returns from Marathi films, if the film receives proper distribution. Besides making the prime time shows compulsory at multiplexes, in major cities of Maharashtra, there is also an urgent need to start showing Marathi films, at drama theatres or halls in small towns at other district places. And, this issue certainly needs a debate.
It is also high time that our own TV entertainment channels come in support of award winning and quality Marathi films, by acquiring their satellite rights and showing them to home viewers. If you offer something good to the Marathi home viewers, they will develop a taste towards good quality cinema. And, Mayboli & Star Pravah Channels , have already started showing good quality and award winning Marathi films.
On Sunday, Star Pravah showed one such mind blowing film ‘Ek Cup Cha’ starring Kishore Kadam, Sunil Sukhtankar, Mrunmayee Deshpande , Padmanabh Bind, Ashwini Giri and others. It was certainly a film with a strong message on importance of existing RTI act and how a ST Bus conductor taking help of it, to fight injustice on him, by the electricity Board. Thanks to Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukhtankar for making such a wonderful film. Unfortunately, this film was not released in Mumbai. But, at least, Mumbaikars and people from other places in Maharashtra could view it, on their TV sets. Thanks to Star Pravah channel once again.
