Playing to the galleries backfires – Maharashtra reverses decision to screen only Marathi movies in prime time

#multiplex #ShobhaaDe #VinodTawde #primetimemovies #wadapau Maharashtra government had made it compulsory for all multiplexes to screen only Marathi movies in the 6-9pm prime time slot in all multiplexes – the decision was another instance of leaders playing to the galleries without bothering about the effect such decisions have on the agencies involved.
As expected, the decision has now been reversed as reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 10 April 2015.

Of course, whether it was because of the Tweets of Shobhaa De or a case of good sense prevailing in the end, the fact remains that the decision has been reversed and multiplex stakeholders can now breathe easy.
The decision has now been modified after two days of meetings with movie and multiplex stakeholders and the state government has now decided that mandatory Marathi movies show timing must be between noon and 9pm.
This has been announced by the cultural affairs minister Vinod Tawde – as per revised decision, Marathi movie producers can select a slot that best fits a film's theme. No screening before noon will count towards the mandatory 124 Marathi film shows a year for multiplexes.
The minister was probably not aware that regional movies need to be promoted but, in multiplexes, the prime time slots are usually reserved for movies of Bollywood or Hollywood that draw the crowds and, in turn, generate revenue for the stakeholders.
Incidentally, because of the initial decision, Shiv Sena workers had gathered to protest outside the residence of columnist Shobhaa De in Cuffe Parade. The protests were with vada pav and misal and was apparently connected to her tweets.

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