In an act of generosity that has since become the stuff of Bollywood legend, Shah Rukh Khan waived a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) bill of Rs 42-45 lakh for the Marathi film Deool Band 2, enabling its theatrical release. The film has since become a massive success, grossing over Rs 81 crore at the box office .
Director Pravin Tarde revealed that the team had initially budgeted around Rs 12 lakh for the DCP process, which is required for cinema screenings, but were handed an estimate of nearly Rs 42 lakh . “We didn’t have that kind of money, nor did we have any source from where we could arrange it,” Tarde recalled in an interview . The makers then approached Shah Rukh Khan’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, to explain their limited budget and request support for a wide theatrical release .
The matter eventually reached the superstar himself. According to Tarde, Shah Rukh first inquired about the film’s pedigree. His team informed him it was from the makers of Mulshi Pattern, a title familiar to him because it was later remade as Salman Khan’s Antim . After learning that it was a “well-made emotional film,” Shah Rukh gave a simple but decisive order: “Waive off their bill.” He reportedly told his team, “It’s a Marathi film. Give them the DCP. We can sort out the payments later. If it’s a good film, give them the DCP” .
Tarde expressed deep gratitude, emphasizing that the gesture came without any guarantee of the film’s success. “Today, the film is heading towards the Rs 100-crore club, and everyone is appreciating it. But what Shah Rukh Khan did when the film was nothing… will always be remembered,” he said .
Deool Band 2, written and directed by Pravin Tarde, stars Mohan Joshi and Snehal Tarde . It addresses the issue of farmer suicides and explores the conflict between faith and atheism . On a reported budget of Rs 8-10 crore, the film has become one of the highest-grossing Marathi films of all time .
