Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has waved the green flag for the hassle-free release of Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone starrer, Chennai Express, in Maharashtra. The development came after the MNS Chitrapat Sena (Film Wing) threatened to disrupt and stop its August 8 release, as the makers reportedly attempted to dislodge ongoing popular Marathi movies from single-screen cinemas in the state. The party was upset with reports that the movie, directed by Rohit Shetty, demanded prime slots in single screen cinemas and even some multiplexes in the state where superhit Marathi movie, Duniyadari, has been running to packed houses.
On Thursday, Shetty and Duniyadari director Sanjay Jadhav, along with others, called on Thackeray to hammer out a solution. After listening to both parties, Thackeray ruled that if Duniyadari was not yanked off single screen cinemas across the state, then the MNS would not object to the release and run of Chennai Express in Maharashtra.
After both parties agreed to this suggestion, the decks have been cleared for Chennai Express to release in the state.
Based on the best-selling novel of the same title by the late Suhas Shirwalkar, Duniyadari has been a major commercial success with critical acclaim, earning a record Rs. 5 crore since its release. It stars Swapnil Joshi and Urmila Kanitkar in the lead roles, and tells the story of a modern affluent youngster’s journey. The film has gone down well with Marathi film lovers in the state.