‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ producers have booked the maximum multiplexes and single screens across Mumbai reportedly, leaving fewer screens for Marathi cinema. Opposing the action, Shalini Thackeray MNS leader said that the party will resist if Hindi film industry takes screen space at the expense of their films. She also said that regional films shouldn’t bear the burden of the big-budget releases. Looks like after ‘Padmavati’ now ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ will be facing political issues.
Shalini said to a leading news portal, “Marathi films must be given prime time shows. Deva wasn’t given screen space against Tiger Zinda Hai. If Hindi film industry takes screen space at expense of Marathi films, we’ll oppose it. We haven’t threatened anyone, we want screen space for Deva.”
“We never said that Tiger Zinda Hai should be replaced by Deva. But we are asking that Deva should be given enough time slots. Maharashtra will not allow any movement against Marathi people. Cineplex owners have to abide by our demand. You call it a threat, then let it be,” she added.
MNS film division head Amey Khopkar said “Sent letter to Yash Raj Films. If they’re ready to give screen space to Marathi Films, Deva in this case, then there is no need for us opposing it. However, if they don’t, we won’t allow it to shoot hereafter in Maharashtra.”
Khopkar also said, “’Deva’ will release on December 22 for sure. Whether to make this a peaceful discussion or compel us to resort to other means is up to YRF to decide.”
The head also wrote a letter to the theatre owners and reminded them that their theatres are in Maharashtra, “You have probably forgotten that you are running a cinema theater in the land of Maharashtra. We are compelled to write to you to remind that our sentiments have been hurt.”
“Using their name and influence, the producers have captured all the theaters. What will the other filmmakers do? Where will they go? If the Hindi filmmakers do such monopoly, what will the Marathi filmmakers do? Will other states tolerate such ‘dadagiri’? It is our duty to give rights to Marathi films and for that, we shall do whatever it takes. Just because we are patient and understanding, doesn’t mean we are weak. Believe in ‘live and let live’. If you don’t understand this language then we will have to use our ‘special’ language to make you understand,” he added in his letter.
Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told a leading news portal, “These big fishes (‘Tiger Zinda Hai’) are trying to eat small ones. This dadagiri is done only in Mumbai and Maharashtra. Those who are doing this should remember that Shiv Sena’s tiger too is zinda (alive).”
Actor Ankush Chaudhari who plays the lead in Deva also said at a press conference held by MNS, “We want people to watch our film as well as Tiger Zinda Hai. I too am a Salman Khan fan and I don’t think any film should suffer. But in the current scenario, Deva is not getting screens and that’s why we approached the MNS which has been crusading for Marathi cinema over the years.”
'Tiger Zinda Hai' is set to release on 22 December 2017.
