The Maharashtra government wants to boost the Marathi film industry by reserving multiplex screens between 12 noon and 9 pm for Marathi films. Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde is quoted in the Indian Express as saying, “It would be mandatory for multiplexes to screen at least 124 shows of Marathi films in a year in this slot.” A lot of people in the Marathi film industry have lauded this decision, and Tawde is being seen as a poster boy for the Marathi manoos. But Anand Vishal, Business head of Fun Cinemas, is quoted in the same paper two days earlier, as saying, “There is already a rule that we have to keep 210 shows for Marathi films through the day in one year.” There is confusion how this will play out, but if Mr Vishal’s figure is to be believed, the government may be rolling back the reservation for Marathi films from 210 shows to 124 shows a year-almost halving it. That’s aapla Marathi manoos poshter boy for you.

Co-opting Bollywood and Hollywood would be wiser - Amitabh Bachchan’s ABCL has produced Umesh Kulkarni’s Vihir, for instance