Marathi films may get 45 shows a year at each multiplex screen

Tawde said the government was taking various measures to promote Marathi films and theatre. He also announced the plan to set up a film and television university in Filmcity in Mumbai

The state government plans to make it compulsory for multiplexes to hold at least 45 shows of Marathi films at every screen in a year, culture minister Vinod Tawde told the legislative council on Wednesday.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis outside the Vidhan Bhavan on Wednesday. (HT)

Tawde said the government was taking various measures to promote Marathi films and theatre. He also announced the plan to set up a film and television university in Filmcity in Mumbai.

“We are making changes to the rules to ensure Marathi films are shown at multiplexes and video parlours. We will make 45 shows of Marathi films per screen compulsory. We plan to take Marathi plays to more people by building at least one auditorium in each district in the state,” said Tawde.

He said the culture department was in talks with the finance department to check if the existing auditoriums or drama theatres in the state can be maintained by them, as the municipal corporations are unable to maintain them.

“Mumbai is the hub of entertainment. A large number of TV serials and movies are produced here. We are thinking of setting up a film and TV university in Filmcity. We also plan to develop the Maharashtra School of Drama on the lines of National School of Drama,” Tawde said.

The culture department has also undertaken the renovation of 14 forts across the state. “We have formed a fort conservation committee, which is working towards developing 14 forts as model forts. We are exploring options to get the UNESCO tag for our forts,” said Tawde, adding the Sindhudurg festival was to be held from April 22 to 25.