Pune: In a significant boost for Marathi cinema, theaters under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) will now start screening Marathi films. The PMC administration responded positively to a long-standing demand from the artist community during a meeting held on Thursday (December 12).

The meeting, which included representatives from the cultural department and prominent members of the Marathi film industry, explored the feasibility of screening Marathi films in municipal theaters.

Discussions centered on identifying suitable venues and establishing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the screenings. Deputy Commissioner of the Cultural Department, Sunil Ballal, assured his support for the initiative.

The meeting was attended by Babasaheb Patil, State President of the Nationalist Congress Party’s Cultural Wing; actress Gargi Phule; actor Vijay Patwardhan; Yogesh Supekar, President of the All Artists Foundation; producers Kaustubh Kulkarni, Machhindra Dhumal, and Upendra Kulkarni; along with theater manager Rajesh Kamthe.

Marathi films often face challenges in securing screening slots due to the dominance of Hindi and South Indian films. This situation has caused financial strain on Marathi filmmakers.

To address this issue, stakeholders have been advocating for the use of PMC theaters as a platform for showcasing Marathi cinema. The cultural department’s positive response is seen as a significant step toward promoting regional films and supporting local filmmakers.