Deepak Tijori’s return to Gujarati cinema after nearly 25 years was meant to be a homecoming of sorts. His latest film Get Set Go, an action-adventure opened on more than 700 screens in Gujarat — a significant release for a Gujarati film. It was well received, earned positive reviews and, Tijori, who is the lead actor of the film, says, audiences were responding warmly. But in its second week, the film’s screen count fell to just 24.

For the actor, the problem is bigger than one film losing shows. He believes the incident highlights how vulnerable regional cinema remains when it comes to theatrical exhibition.

“We had more than 700 screens in the first week, which few films in Gujarat get. It was a big release and well received. Suddenly, in the second week, when you wake up, from 700 screens, we were just 24 screens. I didn’t know what was going on,” he says.

According to Tijori, the producers had invested considerably more than the usual budget for a Gujarati film. He explains, “It was expensive in comparison to other Gujarati films because it was in the action genre. The actors Bhaumik Sampat and Jhinal Belani are also the producers of the film, so they have taken every step possible to make a wonderful film and people have appreciated it.”

Tijori further adds that he was told that screens had to be given to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Awarapan 2 and Batwara 1947, which resulted in Get Set Go being pushed out of theatres. “I was devastated by what happened. It’s a regional film. The least that you can offer is some kind of security. It’s not just about subsidy because that doesn’t really help the film make it to the screen. You make a film to show it to people.”

Tijori, who is half Gujarati and half Parsi-Irani, says he had been waiting to return to Gujarati cinema. “I wanted to do a Gujarati film for a long time because I did one almost 25 years ago. I wanted to come back with the new wave of cinema. It is shocking that a good film is treated this way. How will a producer who backs regional cinema recover his money? What is the fate of regional cinema? How do you expect regional cinema producers to even survive? To make good cinema, you need money and more screens. I hope the government does something to support Gujarati cinema,” he says.

He brings up the Marathi film industry, where filmmakers have more confidence to back bigger budget films. “Marathi cinema has greater theatrical priority, which gives filmmakers confidence. Don’t give us 10 shows, at least give us two shows. At least let us be there and let the audience be aware of our film.”