‘Prime time screening of Marathi films will help the cause’

NAGPUR: “The new rule to screen Marathi films in prime time will go a long way in helping the cause of Marathi film industry,” observed stage and film actor Sanjay Narvekar. He, along with other actors, was in the city to stage the play ‘Raanbhul’. The first show of the drama was held at Deshpande Hall on Sunday evening.
Speaking to the media minutes ahead of the show, Narvekar said, “This is our state and our films.If not here then where should we go to ask for certain privileges which can provide the right push to Marathi cinema?”
Upset with the recent observations by senior scribe Shobha De about the diktat on Marathi film’s show timings, the actor said, “Her remarks that now ‘Pav missal will be sold at multiplexes’ was very uncalled for.”
Narvekar was of the opinion that regional cinema has to be promoted by its own people. He said the rule that every multiplex has to screen one show of Marathi film did not work earlier as the theatre owners gave only morning slots. Appreciating the quality of films being made now, he said, “Just making rules is not sufficient, they have to be implemented properly. Previously, government was giving a subsidy of Rs 30 lakh to makers of Marathi cinema. Unscrupulous directors were putting only Rs 10 lakh in the film and pocketing the remaining amount.” This had led to very substandard films, lacking technical finesse, he added.
Now that films are categorized as A, B and C grade, and finance is giving accordingly, the quality has improved. “This is a new era with films having good content and stories. Even the youth is now coming to watch Marathi films,” said Nandini Vaidya, who too is part of the play’s cast.
Describing Raanbhul as a thriller in the genre of cinematic play, Narvekar said, “It has a rotating stage so there are no blanks. The dialogues are also very cryptic and sharp, which makes it very gripping.”
Two more shows of the play will be held on April 13 at 7.30pm and April 14 at 6pm at Deshpande Hall.