Critically acclaimed director and actor Mahesh Manjrekar fears that an increasing number of Bollywood celebrities wishing to jump in on the Marathi cinema bandwagon could spoil the market with ‘their kind of cinema’.
According to Manjarekar, who has directed films like Vaastav and Natsamrat says there has been an increase in awareness on Marathi cinema in light of the success of some recent films, prompting Bollywood celebrities to get involved.
Most of the Bollywood stars wants to act in it, he says.
"Priyanka Chopra has produced a Marathi film. Even John Abraham announced that he wants to make a Marathi film. Shah Rukh, Rohit Shetty also want to do a Marathi film.
"There is an awareness. But I hope they don't come and spoil the market by making their kind of cinema," Manjrekar said.
The actor was speaking at Mumbai Press Club's Knowledge Series, on 'Makeover of Marathi Cinema', last evening.
Manjrekar feels the real change started to happen with ‘Duniyadari’ and ‘Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy’, prior to which the Hindi film industry never even bothered about Marathi cinema.
"Till about 4-5 years back, Hindi cinema never considered Marathi films as a threat or a business proposition. Suddenly after Duniyadari, 'Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy', they realised that there is an audience.
"Now what happens is, they want to make the same films they have made in Hindi here. They made 'No Entry' in Marathi when there was no need. It's as it is a mediocore film. They feel 'we will teach the Marathi audience what cinema is'. They were rejected outright."
The actor feels the industry "needs one Marathi film to be a hit internationally" so that more doors will be open in the overseas territory.
Manjrekar is now gearing up for his next, "Dhyani Mani" to have a world wide release on February 10.
(With PTI Inputs)
