17 November,2009 11:13 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
It's boom time for the Marathi film industry, as 20 films will release across the state this November and December. Distributors and exhibitors claim this has never happened before. Every year, only 10 to 12 Marathi films release in these months.
Noted film distributor Sadiq Chitalikar said, "For the past four years, 10-12 films have been releasing during this period. This time, the multiplex strike, swine flu, two elections and delayed monsoons postponed the releases and the films got accumulated for the last two months. This may push the total number of releases this year to 100." Last year, 75 Marathi films were released.
New entries
Ajay Sarpotdar, president, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, however, said the increase in the number of film releases is due to the new and inexperienced entrants into Marathi film production.
"Some of the producers are in a hurry to participate in state competitions and in international film festivals.
There has to be a proper understanding while releasing films. With their untimely releases, these inexperienced producers have caused the industry losses of Rs 300 crore over the past three years."
Sadanand Mohol, president, Pune Film Exhibitors Association, pointed out thatu00a0 Marathi films are getting better placement in multiplexes than in single screen theatres in the city. "There is an equally heavy rush of Bollywood films in the same period and Marathi films get little space in single screens," he said.
Balkrishna Bhide, manager, Prabhat Cinema, said, "We are facing acute problem of slotting films for release. We may request some of the producers to postpone their releases for January."
