After long deliberations on Thursday, the Maharashtra government finally decided to redefine the “prime time” for screening of Marathi films in multiplexes and consider three slots 12 to 3 pm, 3 to 6 pm and 6 to 9 pm for the shows.
Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde adopted this middle path to accommodate the concerns of multiplex owners and Marathi film producers and distributors, and to pull curtains on the controversy that had erupted after the government decided to make it mandatory for multiplexes to show at least one Marathi film during prime time hours in the evening.
Surprisingly, many Bollywood celebrities are supporting regional cinema. Karan Johar and Riteish Deshmukh have been quite vocal about it.
At a recent movie premiere:
Aamir Khan said, "I support regional cinema but a law should not be enforced for the same."
Javed Akhtar added, "The government should take more initiatives and exempt entertainment tax."
Shraddha Kapoor said, "I am all for Marathi movies and one day even I will do a Marathi film."
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