Licences of 35 cinemas cancelled

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government has stolen a march over other political parties by cracking down on cinemas not screening Marathi films. The Mumbai police has served notices to 35 cinemas cancelling their licenses for a period ranging from one day to one week.

The crackdown follows violation of the Cinema Regulating Act, 1969, which makes it mandatory for cinema theatres in the state to screen Marathi movies for at least four weeks in a calendar year, home ministry sources told ET.

The home ministry action follows a survey carried out in 2007 to check implementation of the relevant section of the Cinema Regulating Act.

Home ministry officials said the survey found 78 cinemas not showing Marathi films as per the law. Preliminary notices were issued to these theatres following which 43 theatre screens fell in line.

Ironically, some of the cinema halls found not showing Marathi films were traditionally associated with Marathi movies and are located in the central parts of Mumbai with predominantly Marathi population, sources said.

The 35 cinemas, which include some multiplexes also, have been served notices now, can file an appeal against the police action before the state home ministry within 30 days.