NCP demands Marathi dubbing and release of Ramayana film in Maharashtra

The cultural wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has demanded that the film ‘Ramayana’, starring Ranbir Kapoor, be dubbed in the Marathi language and released in Maharashtra. According to reports, Babasaheb Patil, the state president of the NCP's cultural wing, has submitted this demand in a letter to the film's producer, Namit Malhotra. The organisation believes that audiences in a large film market like Maharashtra should have the opportunity to watch such a grand film in their mother tongue.

Babasaheb Patil stated in his letter that a major film like ‘Ramayana’ should be dubbed in Marathi and re-released in Maharashtra. He emphasised that Marathi audiences also have the right to watch this film in their own language. Mentioning the cultural heritage of the Marathi language, Patil noted that Marathi has now been granted the status of a classical language. In such a situation, he said it is disappointing that Marathi was not included in the list of languages for such a big film.

He further added that the history of the Marathi language is nearly one thousand years old and the audiences here have always responded well to films. According to Patil, Maharashtra is a huge market for filmmakers and the number of Marathi-speaking viewers here is very large. Therefore, they too should get the chance to see this grand film in their mother tongue. He clarified that this demand is not against any other language, but they only wish for the Marathi language to be included in the dubbed versions of the film.

The filmmakers have so far released the film across India in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. This is why the demand for a Marathi version has arisen. Babasaheb Patil has appealed to the producers to consider the sentiments of the Marathi audience and the respect for the language.

Regarding earnings, the film ‘Ramayana’ crossed the ₹1,000 crore mark worldwide in just 8 days of release. According to Sacnilk figures, by November 12, the eighth day, the film's worldwide gross collection reached approximately ₹1,033.55 crore. In India, the film earned ₹564.60 crore net and ₹675.05 crore gross, while its gross collection from overseas was ₹358.50 crore. On the eighth day, the film earned ₹53.50 crore net in India.

In India, the film started with a first-day net earning of ₹64.85 crore. Subsequently, on the fifth day, November 9, its collection reached ₹107.50 crore. By entering the ₹1,000 crore club by the eighth day, ‘Ramayana’ has joined this special list of Indian films. However, these figures are from trade trackers and official figures from the producers may differ.

Currently, no official decision has come from the filmmakers regarding Marathi dubbing and re-release in Maharashtra. It remains to be seen how the producers of this film, which has already earned over ₹1,000 crore, react to this demand of the Marathi audience.