Marathi film row: Privilege motion against Shobhaa De in Maharashtra assembly

Objecting to columnist Shobha De's tweet regarding Maharashtra government's decision to make it mandatory for multiplexes to screen Marathi films during the prime time slot, the Shiv Sena has given a privilege motion in assembly against De seeking an apology from her.

Sena legislator Pratap Sarnaik, through point of propriety, in the Legislative Assembly said that the novelist had hurt the sentiments of the House which had whole-heartedly welcomed culture minister Vinod Tawde's announcement that screening of Marathi films would be made mandatory during the prime time slot.

Soon after the privilege motion was given, Shobha De tweeted, "Now a privilege motion demanding an apology from me? Come on! I am a proud Maharashtrian and love Marathi films. Always have. Always will !"

Now a privilege motion demanding an apology from me? Come on! I am a proud Maharashtrian and love Marathi films. Always have. Always will !

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) April 8, 2015

Criticising Maharashtra government decision, Shobha De on Tuesday had tweeted, "No more pop corn at multiplexes in Mumbai? Dahi misal and vada pav only. To go better with the Marathi movies at prime time."

Devendra 'Diktatwala' Fadnavis is at it again!!!From beef to movies. This is not the Maharashtra we all love! Nako!Nako! Yeh sab roko!

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) April 7, 2015

I love Marathi movies. Let me decide when and where to watch them, Devendra Fadnavis. This is nothing but Dadagiri.

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) April 7, 2015

No more pop corn at multiplexes in Mumbai? Dahi misal and vada pav only. To go better with the Marathi movies at prime time .

— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) April 7, 2015

In a controversial move, the BJP-Shiv Sena state government on Tuesday decided to make it mandatory for multiplexes across the state to screen Marathi films during the prime time slot between 6 and 9 PM.

The decision will be implemented after amending the existing rules, Tawde had announced in the state Assembly.