‘Industry got new lease of life due to subsidies’

Amitabh Bachchan and Vikram Gokhale

Years after the dissolution of the committee that allocated subsidies to the Marathi film industry, filmmakers are still yearning for subsidies to avail financial relief. In a bid to address their concerns, the Indian Motion Picture Producers' Association (IMPPA) sent a letter to Maharashtra cultural affairs minister, Amit Deshmukh last week, on behalf of 200 Marathi producers, who are part of its team.

"The Marathi film industry [was] revived because of the subsidies for films, provided by the Government of Maharashtra. [Subsidies are] what enabled producers to survive despite very poor market conditions. But payment has stopped three years ago. More than 300 films are eligible, and makers have applied for subsidy," read the letter, urging for the creation of the committee that decides which film is eligible for subsidies.

Anil Nagrath, IMPPA secretary, says, "A screening committee would evaluate and segregate films into three categories, based on which they would be given subsidies. Producers are waiting for the subsidies which are arrived at by the committee that is set up by the Ministry of Culture."

Marathi film producer Akshay Bardapurkar, who released Amitabh Bachchan-starrer AB Aani CD last year, says, "Currently, the Maharashtra government is cash-strapped, and all the funds have been diverted to health care, farmers and other essential needs. The committee should be formed for this year's proceedings. It will take another three years for the backlog of Marathi movies to release, following the pandemic. I request [those in charge] to consider granting subsidies for films that will premiere digitally, this year."

Kartik Nishandar, who has produced web series like Naxalbari, and films like Fugay and Ranangan, says, several filmmakers haven't received subsidies since 10 years. "Right now, there are around 600 films which haven't got subsidies. While Bollywood movies get subsidies from other states rather quickly, here, there is no gateway for availing them."

Mahesh Manjrekar, however, does not believe that the Marathi film industry is benefiting from subsidies. "What will aid the industry is the creation of theatres and studios. There are many places in Maharashtra, like the Konkan belt, where there are few theatres that screen Marathi movies. We should find people who can construct theatres dedicated to Marathi films."