Nitesh Rane to boost Marathi films, and his own career

In a bid to woo the Marathi manoos and to encroach on the territory of the Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), Nitesh Rane, Swabhimaan Sanghatana chief, has launched a new initiative, ‘Maharashtra Kalanidhi’, which will concentrate on helping Marathi film and drama producers financially and provide them with prime slots in multiplexes across the city.

In the past, the Sena and MNS have carried out protests against theatre owners for neglecting Marathi movies. Recently, in August, MNS chief Raj Thackeray had threatened to go on rampage if theatre owners did not screen Marathi films.

“Rather than such violent protests, the film and drama industry needs something constructive, which why we decided to set up Maharashtra Kalanidhi,” said Rane, after inaugurating the membership drive on Tuesday. Nitesh is the son of state industries minister Narayan Rane.

“Instead of threatening theatre owners, we should look at finance, which is the root cause of all problems. We want to work on the financial aspect,” he added.

Rane is launching the initiative with the help of Anant Panshikar of the Natya Sampada, with the aim of giving the Marathi entertainment industry a makeover. It will provide film and drama producers with financial aid as well as help draw in audiences for film and drama producers associated with it.

Anant Panshikar, a key member of the Kalanidhi, said, “It is an attempt to promote and help the theatre industry grow. The membership drive will help bring together an audience. Members will get discounts for shows.”