MNS threatens violence if non-Marathi film shown in prime time

MUMBAI: Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has issued a diktat to the theatres against screening other regional films in the prime time, saying that the slot should be reserved only for Marathi films.

"We are not against screening of films in any language. But in Maharashtra the theatres should give preference to Marathi films. If theatre owners fail to respond, our men will not hesitate to vandalise theatres to teach them a lesson of their life," said Amey Khopkar, chief of MNS's film wing.

The threat comes a week after MNS workers protested against the screening of a Gujarati film 'Gujjubhai The Great' at a suburban theatre.

Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Vinod Tawde in April had issued a directive to the multiplexes to screen at least one Marathi film during the prime time. But it triggered a controversy, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later issued a fresh directive that Marathi films could be screened anytime between 12 noon to 9 pm.