Top News

New Delhi: A major controversy has erupted in Maharashtra’s film circuit. MNS leader and producer Ameya Khopkar has alleged that his Marathi film Ye Re Ye Re Paisa was unfairly removed from theatres. He claimed it was replaced by the Hindi film Saiyaara, despite performing well at the box office.

“Our film Ye Re Ye Re Paisa was doing well, but has been replaced by Saiyaara. It is not fair what they are treating Marathi films,” Khopkar said, expressing disappointment over the lack of support for regional cinema.

Was the Marathi film Ye Re Ye Re Paisa unfairly pulled for the Hindi hit Saiyaara?

The allegation has sparked debate between producers and exhibitors. Nitin Datar, President of the Single Screen and Cinema Owners Association, denied any bias. He clarified that decisions are based on performance, not language.

“At least four to five films are released in a week, and there are not enough theatres in Maharashtra. We certainly have no fight with Marathi films. We follow the government diktat for Marathi films,” Datar told News9Live.

He added that low-performing films are removed regardless of language. “Whether it is Hindi, English or Marathi films, if it is not doing well, we pull it out from the cinemas.”

Datar also cited rising operational costs. “There is a huge expense in running cinemas these days and cannot run it with empty houses. We apply the same rule for all languages.”

Khopkar maintained that his film deserved a second-week run. He claimed no shows were given despite good collections. Datar pushed back and questioned the film’s actual performance.

“Please ask him what the collection of the film was. We are here in the business of cinema and will never pull out a film if it is doing well at the box office,” he responded.

Datar also raised concerns over the decline of single-screen theatres. “If we play Marathi films at our cinema, does the government give us any rebate on electricity and other expenses?”

He added, “There were 126 cinema halls in Mumbai; only 50 remain. In Pune, only 3 are running out of the original 27. How can single screens accommodate 100 films?”

Marathi-Hindi language row

The turmoil surrounding Ye Re Ye Re Paisa has unfolded against a broader backdrop of simmering linguistic tension in Maharashtra. Regional voices have grown increasingly vocal, with clashes over Hindi “imposition” spilling beyond cinemas into schools, public spaces and politics.