Bollywood’s loss is Marathi films’ gain

Marathi films emerged as winners in the deadlock between Bollywood producers and multiplex owners; the strike earned them revenues in excess of Rs 25 crore in two months

Bollywood's loss is Marathi films' gain

Marathi films emerged as winners in the deadlock between Bollywood producers and multiplex owners; the strike earned them revenues in excess of Rs 25 crore in two months

The two-month long deadlock between Bollywood film producers and multiplex owners proved to be a boon for the Marathi film industry.

Official sources said that the 15 Marathi films that were released in this period earned revenue of over Rs 25 crore. Despite the strike having come to an end, Marathi film producers continue to be upbeat about their films.

"We are optimistic that we will get even bigger business," said Meghraj Raje Bhosale, whose film Master Eke Master releases on June 12. Makarand Anaspure, who co-produced the political satire Gallit Gondhal Dillit Mujra with Sayaji Shinde, said, "This successful venture has boosted my morale. I want to make more films to entertain the audience."

Ajay Sarpotdar, president, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal, the apex body of the Marathi film industry, echoed their sentiment, saying that the high revenue collection will only help their business grow.

"The total business volume for this year may grow by 10 per cent as against the Rs 103 crore made in 2008," he said.

Sarpotdar added that the strike not only brought in profits, but also lured new audiences. He says a good 30 per cent of the audience were non-traditional Marathi film viewers who, he hopes, will continue to patronise Marathi films now that they have watched such good ones. "In a similar situation three years ago, non-Marathi viewers went to see Shwaas as it was India's entry to the Oscars," he recalled.

Mahesh Manjrekar's Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy was the first film to hit themultiplexes after the strike came into effect and proved to be a blockbuster.

"The film made a sizable collection of Rs 12 crore in the period of two months," said Satpotdar. The film helped other releases in the season such as Gallit Gondhal Dillit Mujra, a political satire and Bokya Satbande a lighthearted film about a child super-hero. They rank two and three on the list of biggest revenue pullers this summer," said Sarpotdar.

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