Vinod Tawde’s latest decree: Allot prime time slots for Marathi films in multiplexes

Tawde said that theatres would also be asked to air a minute-long documentary on Dadasaheb Phalke’s contribution to the film industry before the start of the Marathi film.

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“Multiplexes give step-sisterly treatment to Marathi films. They are denied prime slots and hence this kind of a norm needs to be brought in,” the minister said, adding that the state law and judiciary department had already given its consent to the new norm.

Speaking to reporters outside the state legislature building, Congress leader and former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said: “It is not right for the government to impose a condition on what time the Marathi language film should be screened”.

Marathi filmmaker Ravi Jadhav welcomed the move. “I have been waiting for this decision for two years. The Marathi film audience is family oriented and the earlier show timings would be odd. Marathi films will now be on a level playing field with Hindi films. On the other hand, it is a big responsibility for the Marathi film industry to stand out in the prime time slot,” he said.

Business head of Fun Cinemas Anand Vishal said: “There is already a rule that we have to keep 210 shows for Marathi films through the day in one year. No one exactly knows the nitty-gritties of the new rule and whether it is inclusive of the existing norm. We are waiting for clarity on that front. Even if the new rule is exclusive of that, we are fine with it since films will have to work on merit. People will watch Marathi films over Hindi films if the content is good”.