Marathi filmmaker Pravin Tarde has revealed that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan personally waived a debt of Rs 42 lakh owed to his production company, Red Chillies Entertainment, by the makers of the Marathi film Deool Band 2. This generous gesture played a crucial role in securing the film's theatrical release.
How the Debt Was Incurred
Speaking to Abhijat Marathi Filmy, Tarde explained that his team had approached Red Chillies Entertainment for a Digital Cinema Package (DCP), the digital format essential for theatrical screenings. The makers had initially budgeted Rs 12 lakh for this process, but the actual cost escalated to Rs 42 lakh—an amount they could not afford. Consequently, Red Chillies Entertainment withheld the completed DCP until the dues were cleared, putting the film's release at risk.
Shah Rukh Khan's Intervention
When the matter reached Shah Rukh Khan, his team informed him that Deool Band 2 was being produced by the same filmmakers behind Mulshi Pattern (2018). Since that film had already been remade in Hindi as Antim, Khan was familiar with Tarde's work. He then instructed his team to hand over the DCP regardless of the pending payment. Red Chillies Entertainment ultimately wrote off the entire amount.
“What Shah Rukh Khan did when the film was nothing, when nobody knew whether it would work or not, will always be remembered. I will forever be grateful to him,” Tarde said.
Success of Deool Band 2
Deool Band 2, the sequel to the 2015 film Deool Band, was released theatrically on May 21. Made on a reported budget of Rs 8-10 crore, the film has since emerged as one of the highest-grossing Marathi films in recent years, earning more than Rs 80 crore at the domestic box office.
The film is a well-received emotional drama that explores themes such as farmer suicides and the complex conflict between faith and atheism. Its strong emotional storytelling, combined with positive word of mouth, has significantly contributed to its success, helping it achieve blockbuster status.
