A game-changer for Marathi cinema
Kissa Shuru Talkies has launched what it claims is India’s first same-day theatrical distribution platform for rural Maharashtra. Dubbed Kissa Shuru Talkies Home Cinema, the initiative aims to bring newly released films to areas that lack proper cinema infrastructure. The platform was officially inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs, Shri Ashish Shelar, with veteran actor Sachin Pilgaonkar attending as Guest of Honour.
According to the company, the service is designed to reach over 41,000 villages, more than 150 talukas, and approximately two crore households across the state. The platform allows rural audiences to watch films on the same day they hit theatres, using a digital distribution network that bypasses the need for physical cinema halls.
Speaking at the launch, Shelar called the initiative a “game-changer for Marathi cinema,” adding that it “bridges the gap for viewers in towns and villages who want to watch new movies right upon release.” He described it as a “win-win ecosystem where audiences, directors and actors all benefit together.”
Bringing the big screen to small towns
The platform operates through a Managed Service and Device as a Service (DaaS) model. Every Thursday night, selected films are synced online with local village partners, who then function as operators within their communities. These partners facilitate access to content while earning income from the arrangement.
Suntosh S. Berajdar, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Kissa Shuru Talkies, explained the vision: “Cinema has always been a collective experience, but millions of families in rural Maharashtra have been excluded from that joy. With Kissa Shuru Talkies Home Cinema, we are rewriting that story.” He added that the mission is to ensure every household can access the same films on the same day as urban audiences, calling it “cultural inclusion, empowerment and giving rural communities a front row seat to India’s cinematic journey.”
Abhishek Pramod Jathar, CEO of Kissa Shuru Talkies, echoed the sentiment: “Our vision is simple yet powerful. Every home deserves the joy of cinema. This platform is not just about movies; it’s about inclusion, access and the celebration of storytelling.”
Revenue potential and producer benefits
Sachin Pilgaonkar, who has decades of experience in Marathi and Hindi cinema, highlighted the practical impact. “People in Maharashtra often travel 40 to 50 kilometers just to watch a film. This initiative brings Marathi cinema to areas without theaters, expanding reach without competing with existing owners,” he said. Pilgaonkar called Kissa Shuru Talkies “a bold, essential step toward making Marathi cinema bigger and accessible to every corner of the State.”
According to projections shared by the company, the platform could generate annual revenues of up to ₹2,085 crore if expanded across India. In Maharashtra alone, projected revenues could reach nearly ₹185 crore by the second year of operations. Importantly, the company stated that 50 percent of revenues would be directed to film producers. Family screenings on the platform are expected to be priced at just ₹99.
Kissa Shuru Talkies describes itself as an entertainment platform focused on delivering Indian films to rural and semi-urban households through digital technology and local partnerships. The company says its model combines film distribution with digital delivery to serve audiences that have limited access to conventional cinema channels, while also creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs.