'Govt for multiplex only for Marathi films on Bharatmata plot'

Mumbai, Apr 19 (UNI) Maharashtra Government is ready to purchase the plot which houses the Bharatmata theatre on the NTC mill land in Parel at Central Mumbai and build a multiplex only for screening of Marathi films, State Culture Minister Ashok Chavan said here today.

Addressing the mediapersons to announce the 43rd Maharashtra State Film awards, Mr Chavan said Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has recently written to Union Textile Minister Shankarsinh Vaghela, expressing willingness to purchase the plot if National Textile Corporation (NTC) goes ahead with the sale of the mill land.

He said under the development rules, the plot where Bharatmata theatre is situated was reserved for a theatre. The Government proposes to construct a modern multiplex on that plot, meant only for screening of Marathi films.

To a poser on why Marathi films were not being released in Mumbai's multiplexes, he said many Marathi filmmakers were of the opinion that they could not afford the rate of exhibiting films in multiplexes and the Government has no control over the rates.

As per the multiplex policy, a Marathi film has to be screened for at least four weeks in a year, and it is the responsibility of Home department to ensure its enforcement, he added.

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