Marathi filmmakers need a morale boost'

Sachin Pilgaonkar made his mark as an actor, director and producer of Hindi and Marathi films and TV shows in the late 80s and 90s. The winner of several awards, including two National Film Awards, he is now focussing on the OTT platform. He plays the strong character of opposition leader Jagdish Gaurav in the web series City of Dreams-3 which is being aired. He shares his views on Marathi films – the business and the creative angles.

On the ‘Tax-free’ privilege not being extended to Marathi films

There are good films being made in Marathi. Maharashtra Shahir did well in cinema halls. I was disappointed that it wasn’t made tax free, the way Kerala Story was. If Maharashtra Shahir had had this advantage, many more people would have seen it on the big screen, inspiring producers to create great films.

Why Marathi films released in multiplexes isn’t an advantage

Multiplex exhibitors are in the business to make money. The number of shows given to a film depends on comparative response from theatre-goers. Usually, Hindi films fare better than Marathi ones, so the number of shows for the former are increased, and those for the latter reduced. But this isn’t the case with regard to single screens. We just have to pay the rent per week. In multiplexes, because the business is run on a percentage basis, if the collection is low, the producer and the multiplex exhibitors get less profit.

On talented writers in Maharashtra

There’s no dearth of good writers in Maharashtra. There are many excellent writers who have given super films but are also responsible for flops. Also, if a film doesn’t do well at the box office, the entire blame can’t be put on the makers. After the pandemic, it is not easy to pull audiences to theatres.