Producers warned against staging play on Belgaum

Producers of the Marathi play Zalach Pahije, based on the Belgaum border issue, alleged that they received letters from associations warning them not to stage the play. The play was to be launched by politician Nitesh Rane's Maharashtra Kalanidhi on May 1.

Producers of the Marathi play Zalach Pahije, based on the Belgaum border issue, alleged that they received letters from associations warning them not to stage the play. The play was to be launched by politician Nitesh Rane's Maharashtra Kalanidhi on May 1.

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Anant Panshikar, the producer of the play, said he received two letters from organisations EBC Force and Abhinav asking him not to stage the play as they would hurt the sentiments of Karnataka residents in the state.

However, the producers did not report the matter to the police. "The letters are not threatening in nature, hence I didn't feel the need to inform the police," said Panshikar. "We plan to send invites to these groups to watch the play so they can see that there is nothing controversial. We will only highlight the problems faced by Maharashtrian families in Belgaum and screen some interviews," he said.

Rane said that though they did not report the letters, they would take action if the groups cause any further trouble. The producers also plan to stage the play in Belgaum next month.