Multiplexes now have to screen Marathi films at prime slots

Screening of Marathi films during the prime time slots of 6pm to 9pm in multiplexes has been made mandatory by Maharashtra government.

"We are in the process of enacting a law to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Marathi films during prime time," Culture Minister Vinod Tawde said in his reply to a debate on preservation of historical forts, Marathi language and culture.

The Government is also preparing a short film on Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, for screening in theatres, Tawde said, adding that it will be shown after national anthem.

Screening of the film on Phalke, too, will be made compulsory in the theatres, he said.

This will enable people to know that a Marathi-speaking person laid the foundation stone for Indian cinema, the Minister added.

Veteran author Shobha De said that the government should have been consulted stakeholders before making screening of Marathi movies mandatory and asked if the government is willing to give subsidy to multiplexes.

Mumbai being the financial capital of India has a mixed population and a good proportion of people are non-Marathi speaking. Bollywood actor Ritesh Deshmukh said, "In Mumbai the first choice is Hindi film, for a Marathi film it becomes difficult to compete."

Earlier in 2015, the Maharashtra government had made billboards in Marathi mandatory in the state.