Private players rope in to support Marathi films

With the new BJP-led government in the state offering benefits for 'Make in Maharashtra' films, several private companies have come forward to take Marathi films global in an organised manner.

With the new BJP-led government in the state offering benefits for 'Make in Maharashtra' films, several private companies have come forward to take Marathi films global in an organised manner.

Taking the lead, prominent entertainment company like Ultra India said it envisages to invest in Marathi films in order to give them global exposure.

"In sync with the government's Make in Maharashtra initiative, we have started offering various turnkey services under one roof for the Marathi film industry. Along with the government, we also would like to support them in offering our expertise and services in a very cost effective form.

"We want to promote Marathi films across various continents, at film festivals and forums. We also have plans to produce Marathi films in the near future," MD of Ultra Media and Entertainment, Sushilkumar Agrawal said.

He said Marathi films have been making waves internationally on the festival circuit but now they will find it easy to get a good commercial release like a Yashraj Films or a Dharma Productions film.

Agrawal said to cater to a fast growing Rs 400 crore Marathi film industry growing at the rate of 25 per cent per annum, Ultra has setup a separate unit that looks into the varied needs of independent Marathi filmmakers.

"Under this (unit for Marathi films) vertical Ultra will provide various offline and online, state-of-the-art services such as global distribution, cameras on rental; post production, marketing globally, content syndication and digital-social media, etc. for filmmakers who have the script, finance, star cast and locations ready for their film," Agrawal said.

The state government subsidy for one Marathi film in one financial year are of two slabs: Rs 40 and Rs 35 lakh ¿ (government gives subsidy only after two months after the theatrical release of the film).
If a film (Marathi) wins a National Award, the producer gets a government citation of an additional Rs 15 lakh.

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