Marathi cinema

Marathi cinema, also known as Marathi Chithrapat, is the segment of Indian cinema, dedicated to the production of motion pictures in the Marathi Language widely spoken in the state of Maharashtra. It is based in Mumbai. It is the oldest film industry of India and one of the leader in Filmmaking in India's film industry. The first Marathi talkie film was Ayodhyecha Raja, released in 1932, just one year after Alam Ara the first Hindi talkie, before releasing the Aayodhyecha Raja, all the Marathi films until then were Silent films with Intertitles.

Although the industry is much smaller than Bollywood (which is also based in Mumbai), Marathi cinema is tax free at the privilege of the state of Maharashtra, and is experiencing growth in recent years. Raja Harishchandra, directed by Dadasaheb Phalke, released in 1913 was the first Marathi film ever made, which also was India's first full-length feature film. Although the claim is disputed, few claim that Dadasaheb Torne's movie Pundalik (1912) was first film made in Maharashtra.

Kolhapur was a centre for film production during 20th century but now majority of movies got made in Mumbai. During Marathi cinema's infancy, that is 1910s-1930s which was also silent era of Marathi cinema, majority of movies got made on Hindu mythological subjects, in 1970s films got made on rural stories, in 1980s–1990s movies got made on comedy, thriller genre, 2000s onwards it being made about social subjects, biographical-dramas. Pinjara (1972) directed by V Shantaram was first ever colour Marathi movie.