Marathi film industry divided on campaign against multiplexes

“Even the filmmakers need to ensure that they create the right kind of noise around their movie before its release. When Zhenda,Harishchandrachi Factory,Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho and Natarang were released at the beginning of this year,they were already being talked about for various reasons. Therefore,people thronged theaters to watch them,” he said. Also,big distributors were behind their release,which also matters,he added. Mokashi said that the quality of the movie and its popularity do not go hand-in-hand. “Only winning an award or being seen by scores of people necessarily does not make it a good movie,” he said adding ,“Vandalising theatres is not the solution to this vexed issue. This campaign,though genuine,is not properly thought about and the way adopted is wrong. I do not support it.”

Partially agreeing with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray’s views,noted director Sanjay Surkar said that not allotting prime-time to Marathi movies is one of the important reasons behind their not working at the box-office. However,that cannot be the only reason,he added. “The Marathi manoos first of all needs to be proud of his language and culture. Like Tamilians and Andhraites,we too need to go to the theatres to watch our movies,” he said.

“Come what may,Hindi and Marathi movies cannot be compared. Instead of competing with them,Marathi filmmakers should try to be different and then encash on this difference,” said Surkar,who has made movies like Choukat Raja and Sukhant. “However,even the producers need to make sure that their movies are being discussed before their releases. Constant hammering is necessary to draw the audience to theaters,as was the case with Natarang by Zee Talkies or Mahesh Manjrekar’s Mee Shivaji Raje Bhosale Boltoy. Good marketing was one of the reasons that made them commercially successful.”

“As for the campaign,we have seen that when earlier,Raj Thackeray insisted that the names of commercial establishments have to be displayed prominently in Marathi,it worked. Who knows,this time too,this campaign may work in the industry’s favour,” he said. Adopting a tougher stand,filmmaker Kedarh Shinde demanded that one of the screens in all multiplexes should be dedicated to Marathi movies. “We will divide the shows among ourselves and are also ready to shoulder the responsibility of bringing Marathi audience to theaters. But at least first screen our movies,do not outrightly reject them saying that they do not work,” he said adding,“Vandalism is taking place because we have completely run out of patience. The situation has not changed much since the days of Dada Kondke. At that time too Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray had to intervene to make sure that his Marathi movies were screened in theaters that mostly preferred Hindi films.”

“Anyone who think this way of protesting is wrong should make a Marathi movie and approach the multiplexes to screen it to understand the problems being faced and disdain being shown to us. All other ways like requesting through letters and memorandums have already been adopted,but to no avail. Now,they have to be told in the language they understand,” said Shinde, who is also associated with MNS. “The problem has compounded further because mostly all single-screens have been converted into multiplexes. One must remember that Marathi movies mostly work on word-of-mouth publicity,” he said. If this current trend continues,then Marathi cinema,which was coming up well recently,will be pushed back. Then no one should complain that good movies are not being made in Marathi.”

Taking a more cautious approach,film producer and vice-president of Indian Motion Pictures Association (IMPPA),Sushma Shiromanee said that problems of both the parties should be understood and a solution can be found only through constant dialogue and discussions. “Multiplexes are here to do business. They do not have any special affiliation to Hindi. They are not and cannot be anti-Marathi. Their problems also need to be understood. The Maharashtra government provides highest subsidy to regional cinema. Low-budget Hindi movies do not get subsidy. Other regional cinema does not get this much subsidy. If even after this,good work is not being done,then we should introspect,” she said.

And after all,people should go to the theatres to watch movies. In my opinion,it happens only when good movies are made. Constant hammering regarding the movie is not needed at all. There can be several other ways like discussion about the movie to reach people,she added.

Shiv Sena moves HC over Marathi films issue,seeks more shows
Shiv Sena has moved the Bombay High Court seeking to intervene in a petition filed by theatre-owners,and demanded that every hall must follow the mandatory screening of Marathi films.

The Raj Thackeray-led MNS had vandalised a couple of multiplexes in and around Mumbai during the week,protesting that they do not screen Marathi films,which is mandatory. Sameer Dixit of Maharashtra Cine and Television Sena,a Shiv Sena-controlled union,has sought “right of audience” in the original 2009 petition filed by Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association of India.

“Cinema Owners Association — the petitioners – are opposing the 1968 government resolution that made it mandatory for theaters to screen at least 112 shows of Marathi films. Whereas we are demanding that Marathi films be screened,and number of mandatory shows be upped to 500,” said advocate Vikramsingh Yadav,Dixit’s lawyer.

“In June this year,High Court admitted the original petition and by way of interim relief reduced number of mandatory shows to 44 a year. That was when we came to know about it,and decided to intervene,” said advocate Yadav.

Marathi films in multiplexes: Producers,artistes meet Bhujbal
Maharashtra government will take all necessary steps to protect Marathi culture and language in the backdrop of the demand to screen Marathi films in multiplexes at prime-time,Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said in Mumbai on August 19.

“We will take all necessary steps within the ambit of law and find a way out. This is the golden jubilee year of Maharashtra and the government will take steps to protect Marathi culture and language,” Bhujbal said after meeting a delegation of Marathi filmmakers and artistes at his official residence. “We will have to discuss the issue with multiplex- and theatre-owners,” Bhujbal said.

On Marathi filmmakers meeting MNS chief Raj Thackeray recently over their demands,Bhujbal said,“In a democracy,everyone has a right to meet anyone.”

On incidents of MNS activists vandalising multiplexes demanding screening of Marathi movies at prime-time,Bhujbal said “No one should take law into their hands.”