Manoj Bajpayee has called for a government-mandated level playing field in film exhibition, asserting that big-budget movies intimidate distributors and exhibitors to dominate screen allocation. In an interview with Hindustan Times, the actor stressed that patronage for independent cinema should come from the government in the form of infrastructural support rather than monetary aid.
Government Policy Needed for Fair Exhibition
Responding to filmmaker Reema Kagti's statement that small films need patronage, not audience support, Bajpayee said, "With small films, patronage starts with exhibition. The day the government makes this policy that every film will get enough showcasing, then they will have some kind of a fair platform, a level playing field. Until we get that, it's tough." He clarified that the patronage should be infrastructural, not monetary: "We should get patronage from the government, not in terms of money but in terms of assurance that your film will be showcased and there will be a level playing field."
Marathi Cinema as a Model
Bajpayee cited Maharashtra's initiative that guarantees minimum screens for Marathi films across the state, including Mumbai. "The biggest advantage Marathi cinema has is that the Maharashtra government came up with the initiative to make sure that Marathi films get a level playing field. We should also get that guarantee of a minimum number of screens all over India," he said.
Big-Budget Films Intimidate Exhibitors
The actor highlighted the monopoly of big-budget productions: "Every big-budget film, they take the most shows by intimidating distributors and exhibitors." He reiterated that a level playing field is essential for diverse cinema to survive.
About Manoj Bajpayee and 'Governor'
Bajpayee's latest film, 'Governor', a small-budget political drama directed by Chinmay D. Mandlekar, had a limited release in India last weekend. He plays S. Venkitaramanan, former RBI governor, recounting his role in averting the 1990 economic crisis.
