Mumbai : Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amey Khopkar has issued a strong warning to multiplex chains, urging them to prioritize the Marathi historical film Chhava over the Hollywood blockbuster Captain America, both set to release on February 14.
Khopkar alleged that the distributors of Captain America are pressuring multiplexes to allocate more shows to the Hollywood film, sidelining Chhava, which is directed by Laxman Utekar. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he declared that such “bullying tactics” would not be tolerated and that multiplex operators must ensure Chhava gets the maximum number of screenings.
१४ फेब्रुवारी रोजी लक्ष्मण उतेकर दिग्दर्शित ‘छावा’ हा चित्रपट प्रदर्शित होत आहे. त्याचदिवशी प्रदर्शित होत असलेल्या ‘कॅप्टन अमेरिका’ चित्रपटाच्या वितरकांकडून कितीही दबाव आला तरी मल्टीप्लेक्स चालकांनी ‘छावा’ चित्रपटालाच जास्तीत जास्त शो द्यायलाच हवेत. ‘कॅप्टन अमेरिका’ वितरकांची…
— Ameya Khopkar (@MNSAmeyaKhopkar) February 9, 2025
The tweet tagged major multiplex chains, including PVR Cinemas, INOX Movies, Maddock Films, Mukta A2 Cinemas, Cinepolis India, and also addressed the official handle of the MNS and its leader Shalini Thackeray.
MNS has consistently advocated for Marathi cinema and has, in the past, taken aggressive stances to ensure fair treatment for regional films in Maharashtra. With Chhava depicting an important historical saga, the party is determined to push for its prominence in theaters over foreign releases.
