Coronavirus update: Marathi films Vijeta, AB Aani CD pulled from theatres, to be released again later

Friday the 13th has proved to be quite damaging for filmmakers in Maharashtra. The first to be hit was the Subhash Ghai-produced Marathi film, Vijeta. The Milind Lele-directed AB Aani CD has also been pulled from theatres following an advisory from the state government.

Subhash Ghai made the announcement on Twitter, saying, 'It’s time for us to withdraw our Marathi film Vijeta from all theatres in Maharashtra due to pandemic coronavirus. It’s important for us to care for people's health than any business whatsoever.'

He did not set a new date for release, however.

The coronavirus pandemic has led to the Maharashtra government issuing an order shutting down public spaces like malls, gymnasia, theatres and public swimming pools until 31 March. This was certain to have an immediate effect on films which were released yesterday.

The other Marathi film that has released yesterday, Milind Lele's AB Aani CD, ran into a similar problem. Featuring Vikram Gokhale and Amitabh Bachchan (in a cameo appearance), the film has also been pulled from theatres until further notice.

Maharashtra is not the only state to have ordered such a shutdown. Kerala, Delhi, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh are some of the others that have issued similar orders.

The films which were currently in theatres yesterday were Hardik Mehta's Kaamyaab, Tiger Shroff's Baaghi 3, and the Irrfan Khan-Radhika Madan starrer, Angrezi Medium. It is not yet known if the Hindi films will choose a similar route in view of the shutdown.

In addition to Vijeta, Rohit Shetty's Sooryavanshi has been postponed indefinitely, and the likelihood of Kabir Khan's 83, featuring Ranveer Singh, being postponed is also strong.

The coronavirus has so far infected 85 people in India and resulted in the death of two persons. The disease has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).