Show only Marathi movies in prime time slots, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis tells Cinema owners

Mumbai, April 7: In yet another controversial move, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, April 7 issued a directive to all multiplexes to show Marathi films everyday between 6 to 9 pm.

Fadnavis has told Cinema owners not to show Bollywood and Hollywood films in prime time, but they must premiere Marathi language regional films during 6 pm to 9 pm slots. [Beef ban in Maharashtra will not be extended to goats]

His dictatorial move has been, surprsingly, taken into positive way by some Bollywood actors.

Bollywood actor Ritiesh Deshmukh, who is a Marathi described it as a "Welcome news".

However, some filmmakers have slammed the multiplex muscle flexing move of the BJP-led state government.

Here's how Twitterati reacted to Maharashtra government's move:

BJP never ceased to amuse us. its govt in Maha asks multiplex to show Marathi films &ban English-Hindi movies in primetime #BanWhatNext

— Liz Mathew (@MathewLiz) April 7, 2015

U have to promote regional films too. What's wrong if one hall in every multiplex screens a Marathi film everyday? @TimesNow #BanWhatNext

— Maya Niranjan (@mayaniranjan) April 7, 2015

There is a need to nurture good regional cinema - grants, subsidies etc but to regulate viewer choice is autocratic #BanWhatNext

— Advaita Kala (@AdvaitaKala) April 7, 2015

Next: Shah Rukh should act in two Marathi films a year.

— Kishor Cariappa (@KishorCariappa) April 7, 2015

Multiplexes must ensure prime time slot for Marathi films, orders M'rashtra govt: even if there are no viewers @Dev_Fadnavis @CMOMaharashtra

— Rajesh Menon (@RajeshMenon70) April 7, 2015

I support Maharashtra CM order on Marathi films. Its good to reduce Ballywood dominance

— Hatuey (@AgentSaffron) April 7, 2015

Most Marathi films do not even release outside Mumbai-Pune. If Govt feels so, it should build theatres that show only Marathi films.

— Parth Kulkarni (@parthya) April 7, 2015

Lots of controversy being created - show #Marathi films in prime time - time for Hindi film industry to migrate to #Dilli?

— vikram gulati (@vikram140gulati) April 7, 2015

@Dev_Fadnavis sounding like MNS.love 4 Marathi films needn't b http://t.co/XyzpgRlY0i Marathi filmmakers but even CM prefers Bollywood-types

— Shehzad Poonawalla (@Shehzad_Ind) April 7, 2015

I know of fans of Marathi cinema who will be please with this decision. Most Marathi films are shown at an odd time.

— SiR RaJaN (@Sir_R_U_L) April 7, 2015

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