Marathi film screenings: MNS’ protest was unnecessary, says Tawde

Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Vinod Tawde has termed the MNS’ protest over the screening of the Marathi film Kankan uncalled for.

Maharashtra cultural affairs minister Vinod Tawde has termed the MNS’ protest over the screening of the Marathi film Kankan uncalled for.

Tawde said the government has already resolved the issue with due discussion with the stakeholders, and so there was no need of any protest.

Tawde said on Thursday that advertisements for the film in the newspapers made it evident it has been allotted prime time slots at multiplexes. “I am surprised about the claim made by producer of the film Kankan that it was not getting prime time slots. Had the producers come to us, we would have helped them get the desired time slot,” he said. Asked if the producer’s intention was to gain pre-release publicity to the film, the minister said, “Quality films do not need cheap publicity as they stand on their own,” he said. The cinema wing of the MNS had threatened to resort to a violent protest if the film did not get prime time slots in the multiplexes.

In a meeting with multiplex owners and Marathi film producers, it was agreed to reserve slots between 12 noon and 9pm for Marathi films, with mutual understanding. The meeting was convened by Tawde. Tawde said that a government resolution will be issued by his department in a few days, clarifying the definition of prime time.