Maharashtra govt relaxes order, multiplexes can screen Marathi movies between 12 noon to 9pm

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Thursday relaxed its order to multiplexes, saying that they were free to screen Marathi films any time between 12 noon and 9pm.
State culture minister Vinod Tawde's earlier diktat, that made it mandatory for multiplexes to reserve prime-time shows (6-9pm) in one hall for Marathi films, had got a mixed response in the state.
Some welcomed the order saying it would be a boost for Marathi cinema which lagged behind big brother - Hindi cinema. But legal experts said Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis may wish to promote Marathi films but compelling multiplex owners to reserve the prime-time 6pm slot violates the right to equality and freedom of trade.
Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena staged a protest against novelist Shobhaa De earlier on Thursday after she was critical of the move to force multiplexes to show Marathi movies in the prime-time slot.
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Shiv Sena protests outside Shobhaa De's house