For a long time Marathi films have been battling for their rights to release Marathi films through multiplexes, especially in those major cities . Even the Government of Maharashtra had failed to enforce their regulation strictly by directing all multiplexes in Maharashtra to show minimum required shows during the year. In 2008, at FICCI-Frames seminar Producer –director Mahesh Kothare had reacted sharply to this step motherly treatment given by multiplexes to screening of Marathi films.

During the year 2009, we found a lot of change in the attitude of multiplex owners, particularly in a city like Mumbai, who are now releasing Marathi movies with few shows in a week and the audience is responding well. Films like ‘Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’ ‘Gaiir’ and ‘Rita’ received a good response at multiplexes . In fact, ‘Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’ came to the rescue of multiplex owners, when the producers and distributors had stopped screening their films for a month in multiplexes, in support of their demand on revenue sharing percentage.

Now, the year 2010 has also taken off well for Marathi films. ‘Natarang’ a Zee Talkies film, which was released in many multiplexes, received an overwhelming response during the first four days of its run. On Saturday, when reports came in to MMW, many multiplexes had house full shows. Isn’t that a good news for Marathi film industry ? But, some of the multiplexes still continued to offer step motherly treatment to these Marathi films. On Saturday Kulraj Broadway – Borivali(E) had a houseful show for ‘Natarang’ at 3.15 pm, which is the only show for the day. And to the surprise of the audience, in spite of paying Rs. 126/- per ticket; the air conditioning in the theatre went off within minutes after interval. Audience in the theatre were so much engrossed in the movie that few of them just made noise from their seats and were restless. Finally, MMW representative, who was present in the theatre went outside and brought it to the notice of the staff. The A/c was restored within minutes.

Now, was this a deliberate attempt to test the patience of the audience, one needs to find out; as a similar incident had occurred on the 5th day of the first week run i.e. Tuesday- 3.15 pm show , when another hit Marathi film ‘Gaiir’ was screened at PVR- Goregaon at the Oberoi Mall. In a similar way, just after interval the A/c was not functioning. The cinema hall was a little more than 50% occupied. So, one can imagine the suffocation. Even on that occasion, MMW representative who was present in that show, had complained to their staff. But, the A/c that was restored, wasn’t to its original capacity. Such repeated incidences certainly raises doubts about the treatment given to Marathi cinema in the capital of Maharashtra. Just imagine, if such incident had occurred during the screening of a Hindi or English film; what scene they would have expected from the audience ?

FANTASTIC FANTASY FOR MARATHI MANOOS!!
MmarazI maaNasaasaazI JaNaJaNaIt AMjana Aaho ho....AatatrI sauQaar ro
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