The Nationalist Cultural Department has echoed Phule’s sentiments, emphasizing that this move will not only benefit filmmakers but also increase theater revenues. With over 100 Marathi films produced annually, the lack of proper theaters hinders their reach to the audience. By utilizing existing theaters, Marathi cinema can regain its lost glory.

Maharashtra has a rich history of producing iconic Marathi films, with the industry experiencing a golden age in the 1960s and 1970s Classics like “Shyamchi Aai” (1950) and “Pinjra” (1972) showcased the industry’s potential, but its decline in the 1990s and 2000s led to a significant drop in production and viewership.