Taking a strong exception to the Maharashtra Government’s decision to shift primetime slot for Marathi films from 6 pm-9 pm to 12 noon-9 pm in multiplexes, the Shiv Sena said on Saturday that the “climbdown” had given rise to an impression among the people that the Devendra Fadnavis dispensation had surrendered to multiplex cinema owners.
In an editorial published in its official mouth-piece Saamana, the Sena advised Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde not to renege on its earlier of making it mandatory on the multiplex owners to show Marathi films during the 6pm-9 pm prime time slot.
Maintaining that reserving prime time slot to Marathi films could in no way be construed as “alms” being doled out to Marathi filmmakers, the Sena editorial stated: “Prime time is not a charity doled out to film makers but the right of Marathi cinema.”
The Sena editorial lamented that the Marathi films — despite superior in content good enough to seek Oscar nomination and doing well at the box office — were being short-changed by way of “odd” time slots, because of the racket of multiplex-owners and some unscrupulous producers. Stressing on Maharashtra’s contribution to Indian cinema, the Saamana editorial stated: “Marathi luminaries like V Shantaram and
C Ramchandra (music director) have given their enormous contribution for Hindi cinema. That being the case if Marathi films are not going to be screened in Maharashtra (at prime slots), then Government cannot afford to remain as a mute spectator,” the Sena said.
Disapproving the State Government’s decision to change the prime time slots for Marathi films in multiplexes across the State, the Sena demanded to know as to who tweaked the prime time slot from 6 pm-9 pm to 12 noon-9 pm
“The State Government should remain firm on its earlier decision on prime time slots and not douse the enthusiasm generated in Marathi film industry and audience,” the editorial stated.
The Sena’s editorial should be seen in the context of a noisy protest its activists had staged in front of noted author-columnist Shobhaa Dé’s residence early this week in protest against her attempt to ridicule the State Government’s decision to make it mandatory on multiplex owners to show Marathi films at 6 pm-9 pm prime slot.