Bhojpuri filmmakers face losses in city

Mumbai, Feb 6 (UNI) The Bhojpuri film industry, which earns maximum revenues from exhibiting their films in the city and nearby centres, faces heavy losses after the Raj Thackeray-led MNS launched a tirade against North Indians living in the megapolis and the Bhojpuri films.

At present, 30 theatres in and around the city are screening Bhojpuri movies. Trade sources said that the industry has incurred losses of nearly Rs 25 lakh in the last three days.

Theatre owners have refrained from screening Bhojpuri films after MNS workers barged into the theatres and destroyed the film reel recently.

The biggest losses have been faced by 'Gabbar Singh', the big budget Jeetendra starrer movie produced by Ekta Kapoor. The film's director Mahesh Pande said that his film was picking up at the box office in the second week and since the agitation began, the film had to be removed from the theatres.

''I wonder why the government is remaining silent. Should I claim compensation from the government for my losses. I am a tax paying citizen of the city. Mumbai comprises an important exhibition centre of Bhojpuri cinema. Just because one person has threatened North Indians, the films are not been screened out of fear,'' he added.

Next week, another big budgeted film 'Rangeela Babu' was to be released but the producers have put off the release in the city.

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