Maha schools can now screen max three movies in academic year

Mumbai: The Maharashtra govt has introduced a new policy that allows schools to screen a maximum of three movies or short films per academic year, with two of them being in the Marathi language. This decision comes in response to the numerous requests received by the state govt for releasing films in schools, which education officials say can impact the academic calendar.
According to the policy, the movies, short films, and educational materials screened in schools must carry historical, social, and cultural messages and be suitable for viewing by all students. The state had previously issued a circular in 2014 permitting the screening of movies in schools, subject to the filmmakers applying for permission from the govt and a committee reviewing the content before granting approval.
The state education commissioner will serve as the nodal officer for granting permission for the screening of movies, short films, dramas, and educational materials in schools. The permission will be valid for one academic year only and should be done after the conduct of exams. However, the policy does not specify whether students will be required to pay for watching the films in schools.
In January, the state allowed schools to screen the Marathi film 'Ravrambha', which is based on the story of a Maratha soldier who served under Chhatrapati Shivaji's Army Commander-in-Chief. Last year, the film 'Lets Change', based on the Union govt's Swachh Bharat Mission, was permitted to be released in schools for the academic years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Watching the film was not compulsory, and students could not be charged more than Rs 20.