Patwardhan noted that Uttar was released at a time when two major cinematic releases dominated theatres — the box office heavyweight Dhurandhar, described as a once-in-several-years phenomenon, and the globally anticipated Avatar. Following a controversy involving actor Ranveer, Dhurandhar reportedly shifted its narrative focus to Akshaye Khanna, further strengthening its already powerful market presence, with over 22 shows running at several centres.
Despite these circumstances, Patwardhan said he made a conscious decision not to “play the victim card.” He avoided complaints about lack of shows or framing the situation as a Marathi-versus-Hindi debate. Instead, his focus remained on ensuring that wherever Uttar received screenings, those shows performed well.
The film released on the 12th and received a positive response from urban audiences. However, the team strategically treated the 19th as a renewed release window, intensifying outreach efforts. Patwardhan personally visited cities such as Kolhapur, Pune, and Mumbai, along with colleges, competitions, and cultural events, to directly engage with audiences and build awareness around the film.
According to the director, Uttar received excellent critical reviews, maintained good weekday occupancy in urban centres, earned strong ratings on BookMyShow, and was selected for the Asian Festival circuit. Marathi media, he added, extended significant support by acknowledging the film’s creative vision.
As the film entered its second weekend, shows were reportedly increased at six locations. Patwardhan also highlighted market conditions working in Uttar’s favour, noting that Avatar received mixed reviews while Dhurandhar was not suitable for family viewing with children. This allowed Uttar to be positioned effectively as a “Marathi family film,” a strategy that appears to be generating growing audience interest.
Patwardhan emphasized that such competitive release scenarios have occurred before and will continue to occur for Marathi films. He stressed that filmmakers must rely on confidence in their content, avoid victimhood narratives, and fight day by day with smart, persistent efforts to reach audiences.
Concluding his message, Patwardhan delivered a clear statement of intent: regardless of how many big Hindi or English films release simultaneously, Marathi cinema will not be defeated. “The fight is on,” he declared, underscoring resilience and belief in regional storytelling.
Tags: Kshitij Patwardhan, Uttar Must Watch Marathi Film of 2025, Uttar Kshitij Patwardhan Directorial Debut Film, Best Marathi Film Released in 2025