Maharashtra govt diktat: Prime time shows for Marathi movies

In a controversial move, the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra is set to enact a law to make it mandatory for multiplexes in the state to screen Marathi movies during prime time slots.

The new directive from the Devendra Fadnavis government has asked all multiplexes in the state to show a Marathi film everyday in the prime slot of 6 to 9 pm. It also makes it compulsory for theatres to play a short documentary in respect of Dada Saheb Phalke before the movie starts. Earlier, playing national anthem only was mandatory.

Culture Minister Vinod Tawde disclosed this in the state assembly on Tuesday.

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

Failure to comply with the new orders would lead to cancellation of licence, it was learned.

The BJP-Shiv Sena government's order drew instant criticism from Bollywood.

Shobhaa De tweeted, “I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but dadagiri.”