The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, has once again brought the Marathi agenda to the forefront ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The party has raised a demand for the formation of a separate censor board exclusively for Marathi films in the state of Maharashtra.

This announcement was made after Amey Khopkar, president of the MNS cinema wing, expressed concerns over the treatment meted out to Marathi films by the existing censor board. Khopkar alleged that the delays caused by the censor board are adversely impacting Marathi filmmakers and that despite repeated requests for a separate censor board, the demand has been consistently ignored.

MNS to Submit Memorandum to CM Devendra Fadnavis

To escalate the matter, MNS leaders will soon meet with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and submit a memorandum highlighting the challenges faced by Marathi filmmakers. MNS expects the state government to take this demand seriously and address it with urgency.

Amey Khopkar’s post on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted that the current censor board's attitude towards Marathi films has led to frustration and delays, causing significant harm to the Marathi film industry. "Marathi filmmakers have been facing difficulties for years due to the biased treatment by the censor board," he said.

Why MNS is Demanding a Separate Censor Board for Marathi Films

The MNS cinema wing argues that Marathi films, which reflect the cultural and linguistic identity of Maharashtra, deserve independent evaluation and quicker approvals. According to MNS, a separate censor board for Marathi films will:

• Ensure timely certification and faster approvals for Marathi films.

• Prevent unnecessary delays caused by the current censor board, which often prioritizes Hindi and other language films.

• Promote regional cinema and provide a platform for authentic storytelling rooted in Maharashtra’s culture.

This demand is not new, but it has gained momentum with the approaching BMC elections, where MNS is looking to consolidate Marathi votes by highlighting regional issues.

Incident at D-Mart: MNS Workers Slap Employee for Not Speaking Marathi

In a separate incident that has sparked controversy, MNS workers allegedly slapped an employee of a leading supermarket chain, D-Mart, for refusing to speak in Marathi. The incident took place at the Versova outlet in Andheri (West), Mumbai, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

Details of the Incident

A video that has gone viral on social media shows a D-Mart employee refusing to speak in Marathi, stating, "I will not speak in Marathi. I will speak only in Hindi. Do what you want to do."

Following this exchange, a group of MNS workers, led by the Versova unit president Sandesh Desai, visited the store and allegedly slapped the staffer. The incident was recorded and shared widely on various platforms, prompting criticism and raising concerns over language imposition and violence.

"If you are working in Maharashtra, you should respect the language and culture of the land," said an MNS leader defending the incident.

Apology from the Store Employee

After the confrontation, the D-Mart employee apologised for his behavior, acknowledging that he should have spoken in Marathi while interacting with customers.

Public Reaction and Political Fallout

The incident has sparked a heated debate over language imposition, violence, and political motives. While MNS has justified its actions as a "defense of Marathi pride," critics have condemned the incident as "an act of aggression and intolerance."

Social media reactions have been polarised, with some supporting MNS’s stance on promoting Marathi language and others condemning the use of violence to enforce linguistic preferences.

MNS’s Political Strategy: Playing the Marathi Card Before Elections

Political analysts believe that MNS’s renewed focus on Marathi identity and cultural issues is part of a strategic move ahead of the BMC elections. By raising the demand for a separate censor board for Marathi films and highlighting language-related grievances, MNS is attempting to:

• Consolidate Marathi votes by appealing to regional pride and identity.

• Position itself as the protector of Marathi culture in the face of growing cosmopolitanism in Mumbai.

• Challenge the dominance of Shiv Sena and BJP in Maharashtra’s political landscape.

Challenges Faced by Marathi Filmmakers: A Long-standing Grievance

Marathi filmmakers have long complained about the bias and delays they face at the hands of the current censor board, which is headquartered in Mumbai.

• Marathi films often face delays in certification, which affects their release schedules and box-office performance.

• The lack of representation of regional languages and cultures in the existing censor board often leads to misunderstanding and undervaluation of Marathi cinema.

What a Separate Censor Board Could Mean for Marathi Cinema

If a separate censor board for Marathi films is established, it could lead to:

• Faster approvals and certifications for Marathi films, boosting the industry.

• Increased representation of Marathi culture and language in the entertainment sector.

• Greater opportunities for Marathi filmmakers to tell authentic stories without unnecessary censorship.

MNS’s Next Steps: Awaiting Response from State Government

MNS leaders are expected to meet with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the coming days to present their memorandum and formal demand for a separate censor board.

"The state government must take this issue seriously and provide Marathi films with the respect and recognition they deserve," said Amey Khopkar.

Conclusion: A Fight for Marathi Identity or Political Gain?

As MNS intensifies its campaign for Marathi pride ahead of the BMC elections, the demand for a separate censor board for Marathi films and the supermarket incident have ignited widespread discussions on language, culture, and identity politics in Maharashtra.

While MNS’s efforts to promote Marathi culture have found resonance among certain sections of society, the use of violence and intimidation to enforce linguistic preferences has drawn criticism from various quarters. The coming weeks will determine whether MNS’s Marathi card will translate into electoral gains or further polarise public opinion.

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