Click to play videoMumbai: Director Mahesh Manjarekar is a worried man - not because of his concern over whether his latest film, which is up for release, will be successful at the Box Office or not, but worried because the film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho faces resistance from a Maharashtra-based socio-political group Maratha Mahasangh.
The resistance is over the alleged abusive title of the film, but Manjrekar claims it is just Konkani slang.
Mahesh Manjrekar says, "The film is about the education system, the wrong things that make me angry."
The film takes a hard look at how the education system in Maharashtra is in a mess. It also makes some political comments. Though Maratha Mahasangh has taken objection only to the title of the film it is believed that the organisation may be wanting to also prevent exposure of some education barons and their activity - which the film allegedly does.
President Maratha Mahasangh, Shahikant Pawar says, "We have complained to the concerned authorities. They have given us an assurance but no concrete action has been taken."
Manjrekar met Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan and demanded protection for the release of his film. The Chief Minister assured him that nobody will be allowed to block the release and theaters will be provided with security.
Ashok Chavan says, "We assure full security for a film's release if it has been cleared by the censor board."
Recently another Marathi film Jhenda faced opposition from the supporters of Maharashtra minister Narayan Rane but after some cuts, the film is now ready for release. The question being asked now is will more films face moral policing or will the state act to prevent threats to film makers?
(With inputs from Sholeen Damarwala in Mumbai)
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