Deool Band 2 has emerged as one of the biggest success stories in Marathi cinema this year. Made on a reported budget of Rs 8-10 crore, the film has already earned more than Rs 80 crore at the box office and is now among the top five highest-grossing Marathi films of all time.
However, before the film reached theaters, the makers reportedly faced a serious financial challenge. Director Pravin Tarde has now revealed that Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan played a key role in helping the film overcome that obstacle.
Pravin Tarde recalls the financial challenge
Speaking to Abhijat Marathi Filmy, Pravin Tarde shared that the makers approached Shah Rukh Khan’s production house, Red Chillies Entertainment, for the film’s Digital Cinema Package (DCP). A DCP is the digital format used to screen movies in theaters.
Initially, the team had estimated that the process would cost around Rs 12 lakh. However, they later received a bill of nearly Rs 42-45 lakh, which was far beyond their budget.
Tarde explained that arranging such a large amount was impossible for the production team. Therefore, they requested Red Chillies Entertainment support the project.
He said they informed the company that Deool Band 2 was a Marathi regional film with a limited budget but deserved a wide theatrical release.
Shah Rukh Khan reportedly waived the bill
According to Pravin Tarde, the request eventually reached Shah Rukh Khan.
The actor reportedly asked his technical team about the film and its makers. They informed him that the project came from the creators of Mulshi Pattern, which was later remade in Hindi as Antim, starring Salman Khan.
After learning more about the film, Shah Rukh reportedly asked whether the DCP was ready. The team told him that the work had been completed, but the final delivery was being held back because the payment was still pending.
Tarde recalled that Shah Rukh immediately instructed his team to waive the charges.
According to the filmmaker, Shah Rukh said that since it was a Marathi film, the makers should receive the DCP without worrying about the payment. He reportedly added that the money could be settled later and that a good film should not be stopped because of financial difficulties.
Tarde praised Red Chillies Entertainment for showing great respect toward Marathi cinema and said the decision reflected Shah Rukh’s belief that good films matter more than money.
Pravin Tarde says he will always remain grateful
The filmmaker said Shah Rukh Khan’s support came at a time when nobody knew whether Deool Band 2 would become successful.
Moreover, he pointed out that helping an unreleased regional film without any guarantee of commercial success made the gesture even more meaningful.
Tarde said he would always remain grateful to Shah Rukh Khan for extending support during one of the film’s most difficult phases. He also expressed his wish to personally screen Deool Band 2 for the superstar.
Deool Band 2 becomes a Marathi box office blockbuster
According to industry tracker Sacnilk, Deool Band 2 has collected around Rs 81.78 crore at the Indian box office so far. Considering its reported production budget of Rs 8-10 crore, the film has delivered an outstanding return.
The spiritual sequel to the 2015 film Deool Band is written and directed by Pravin Tarde. The movie stars Snehal Tarde in the lead role, while veteran actor Mohan Joshi reprises his role as Swami Samarth.
The film explores important themes such as farmer suicides, faith, and atheism. Meanwhile, strong word-of-mouth and emotional storytelling have helped it attract audiences across Maharashtra.
As the film moves closer to the Rs 100 crore milestone, Pravin Tarde’s revelation has highlighted an untold chapter in its journey. Shah Rukh Khan’s reported decision to waive the DCP charges proved to be a timely gesture that helped the Marathi film reach cinemas when it mattered the most.