March 03, 2026 10:49 am (IST)
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Maharashtra govt relaxes norm on Marathi films screening
Mumbai, Apr 9 (IBNS): Amid severe controversy, the Maharashtra government on Thursday relaxed the norm for showing Marathi films, two days after it made compulsory for multiplexes to screen the regional films during the prime time slot of 6pm to 9pm.
According to the new norm, Marathi films can be shown from 12 noon to 9 pm in multiplexes but 124 shows are compulsory in a year.
The new decision comes after Marathi film producers met Maharashtra Culture Minister Vinod Tawde and conveyed their willingness for a time band of 12 noon to 9 pm for screening the movies.
Writer and columnist Shobhaa De, who on Thursday faced protests by Shiv Sena activists for her tweet against the order on compulsory screening of Marathi movies in theaters at prime hours, welcomed the move.
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced that it is mandatory for all multiplexes to screen Marathi movies at prime time.
"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 on Tuesday.
The decision was been supported by the BJP, which said that it will promote Marathi cinema.
"It is the duty of Maharashtra government to encourage Marathi culture, a valid move to protect and thrive its language," BJP leader GVL Narasimha had said.
Shobha De had said that the government should have consulted stakeholders before making screening of Marathi movies mandatory and had asked if the government is willing to give subsidy to multiplexes.
De had tweeted, "Devendra Fadnavis is at it again!!! From beef to movies. This is not the Maharashtra we all love! Nako!Nako! Yeh sab roko!I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri (sic)."
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