After Padmavati, it’s Tiger Zinda Hai. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has reportedly written to Mumbai’s theatre owners against screening Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif’s upcoming mega release Tiger Zinda Hai. The reason? Marathi film Deva, which also releases this Friday, not getting prime time shows as Tiger hogs the limelight.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Film division head of MNS, Amey Khopkar told ANI, “We have sent a letter to Yash Raj Films. If they’re ready to give screen space to Marathi films, ‘Deva’ in this case, then there is no need for us to oppose it. However, if they don’t, we won’t allow it to shoot hereafter in Maharashtra”.
MNS leader Shalini Thackeray also told ANI on Tuesday, “Marathi films must be given prime time shows. Deva wasn't given screen space against Tiger Zinda Hai. If Hindi film industry takes screen space at the expense of Marathi films, we'll oppose it. We haven't threatened anyone, we want screen space for Deva.”
Thackeray, general secretary of the Maharashtra Navnirman Chitrapat Karmachari Sena, also said that they have given cinema owners a day to respond to the request. “It is not a threat. We have written to them formally. We are not against Tiger Zinda Hai. We are against the basic policy of not making screens available for Marathi cinema in Maharashtra,” she said.
Mumbai Congress chief, Sanjay Nirupam slammed MNS’ move to demand screen space in cinema halls.
Movie critic and Indian movie industry tracker, Ramesh Bala has predicted a huge opening for the Salman Khan starrer across the country on 22 December.
Deva Ek Atrangee is directed by Murali Nallappa and stars Ankush Chaudhari, Tejaswini Pandit, Spruha Joshi and others.
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