PUNE: Refusing to be drawn into film controversies in the backdrop of recent upheavals regarding two latest Marathi films, chief minister Ashok Chavan on Thursday said the government would not act as a de facto censor board as it would undermine the authority of the Censor Board as well as dilute the quality of good Marathi films.

He was speaking at the concluding function of the 8th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) held at Balgandharva Rangmandir on Thursday.

“Maharashtra government has never been a de facto censor board and it will never be one.  The government will never unnecessarily intervene to dilute good quality Marathi films. Rather we will support good Marathi cinema and strengthen it,” Chavan said.

Film producer-director Mahesh Manjrekar faced protests for his latest Marathi movie's title 'Shikshanachya Aicha Gho' (roughly translated as, to hell with such education). The movie title reportedly “degraded” the education process.

Another film Zenda had to defer its release as state revenue minister Narayan Rane objected to his caricature by name Sada Malwankar in the film.

“In the last 50 years, films have mostly reflected the strengths and weaknesses of our society. Maharashtra government is committed to strengthen quality film making in the state. We will see that with government support, Marathi films not only continue to grow, but also flourish,” the chief minister said.

He appreciated the makers of the latest popular and critically acclaimed Marathi film Natarang, starring Atul Kulkarni. The film bagged Best Director and Best Actor awards at the 8th PIFF. Actress and film maker Renuka Shahane won the Best Screenplay award for Marathi film Rita.

“I have been visiting PIFF for the last three years. I have seen the festival growing in stature with its rapid enhancement in quality and number of films and delegates. Seeing the growth, I consider that PIFF should be rechristened as MIFF (Maharashtra International Film Festival),” he said.

Earlier, Pune MP and PIFF chairman Suresh Kalmadi thanked the chief minister for declaring PIFF as the official film festival of Maharashtra. He also urged the CM to lend his support for metro and mono rail system for Pune to ease the growing traffic congestion.