According to the Bombay Cinema (Regulation) Act, 1953, the single-screen theatres are supposed to show a Marathi movie for at least four weeks in a year. According to a policy framed in 2001, the multiplexes have to screen Marathi films on one of their screens for at least one month in a year.
In a meeting attended by Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil among others on Tuesday, it was decided that theatres and multiplexes which had not shown Marathi movies in the preceding years, should be asked to give an undertaking stating that they would make up for the noncompliance in the current year. This would be in addition to the period for which they are expected to screen Marathi films this year, said officials from the home department, but pointed out that similar undertakings were submitted in 2004 too, only to be flouted.
It was also decided to set up a 12-member co-ordination committee consisting of representatives from multiplex owners and Marathi filmmakers to resolve difficulties. This committee is expected to submit its report within a month-and-half to the state government.
While Marathi filmmakers complain that theatres do not screen their films at all, go for just one show a day or screen them in a slack season like the monsoon, the theatre owners say that Marathi movie makers do not distribute enough prints of their films.
On December 27 last year, the state government had issued orders stating that 79 multiplexes and theatres which had not screened Marathi films would not have their licences renewed. However, after 36 of them moved court against the order, a stay was granted in around 13 cases.