BJP MLC in Maharashtra, Praveen Darekar, on December 7 alleged that a cartel of cinemas was denying screens for a soon-to-be-released Marathi film, and demanded that action be taken against such cartels. Speaking in the legislative council, he said, “Prasad Khandekar’s movie (Ekda Yeun Tar Bagha) is scheduled for release on Friday (December 8) but the big bosses of movie theatres are not allowing its screening…”
Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis replied, “Khandekar is a well-known Marathi actor and a talented one. If such a Marathi cinema is being denied screen space, then action will be taken against such people. Also, I want to say that theatres will be made available (for Marathi films).”