Riteish Deshmukh Urges Shift in Maharashtra's Cinema Landscape
Actor Riteish Deshmukh has made a compelling appeal for significant changes in how Maharashtra approaches its cinematic heritage. Speaking at a special event organized by the Samajwadi Party, Deshmukh expressed concern that Marathi cinema is being overshadowed by the overwhelming demand for Hindi films in the state.
Historical Roots and Current Challenges
Deshmukh emphasized the historical significance of Marathi contributions to Indian cinema, noting that it was Dadasaheb Phalke, a Marathi-speaking pioneer, who laid the foundation of the Indian film industry. However, he pointed out that after a century, the theatrical system has become skewed, favoring Hindi cinema over Marathi in Maharashtra's theaters.
"The film industry was born here in Maharashtra, in Mumbai, and a Marathi man, Dadasaheb Phalke, gave birth to it," Deshmukh stated. "I am not trying to create a divide here, but people from other parts of the country came here and made this journey their own, which is why the headquarters of the film industry became Mumbai. Subsequently, regional cinema began to develop in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka."
Comparative Analysis with Other Regional Industries
The actor drew comparisons with other regional film industries, highlighting a stark contrast. "You will see the same in Karnataka and the Malayalam industry, but in Maharashtra, the first choice is Hindi, and Marathi is the second choice," he explained. "Over the intervening years, it has started decreasing further."
Deshmukh provided demographic context, noting that Maharashtra has 10 to 11 crore Marathi-speaking people, which is more than the population of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Despite this, Marathi films are typically made with budgets ranging from INR 3 to 7 crores, while Hindi films often have budgets exceeding INR 100 crores.
Economic Disparities and Audience Choices
He elaborated on the economic challenges, pointing out that ticket prices for Marathi films are often as high as those for big-budget Hindi films, despite the budget differences. "Due to budget restrictions, Marathi films could not be made in the way they are made in Hindi," Deshmukh said.
"When people go to watch a film and they have the option of spending Rs 200 for a Rs 5 crore film or Rs 100 crore for a film, people choose a Rs 100 crore Hindi film," he explained. "That is why the Marathi film industry has shrunk."
Personal Commitment to Marathi Cinema
Deshmukh shared his personal journey, revealing that when he started his production company, his father encouraged him to focus on Marathi cinema despite his work in Hindi films. "So when I started production, my father said that you are working in the Hindi film industry, but what about Marathi?" he recalled. "That is why it has been 10 to 11 years of my film company, and we have made 6 films, all in Marathi."
He added, "Although I have worked in the Hindi film industry, I felt that for my people, films should be made for their region that they can see." Deshmukh noted that he did not make films on the budget scale of Hindi films but instead invested more according to Marathi film standards to create larger productions.
This call to action underscores the need for greater support and recognition of Marathi cinema within Maharashtra, aiming to preserve and promote its cultural and historical significance in the face of dominant Hindi film influences.
