Pravin Tarde, the director of 'Deool Band 2', revealed that Shah Rukh Khan provided significant financial assistance before the film's release. Shah Rukh had his company, Red Chillies Entertainment, waive a bill of approximately ₹42 lakh related to the film's Digital Cinema Package (DCP).

Made on a budget of around ₹8–10 crore, 'Deool Band 2' grossed over ₹80 crore at the domestic box office and has now joined the ranks of the five highest-grossing Marathi films of all time. However, getting the film into theaters was no easy task.

Director Pravin Tarde told *Abhijat Marathi Filmy* that the makers had contacted Red Chillies Entertainment to prepare the film's DCP—the digital format required for theatrical screenings. The team had set aside about ₹12 lakh for this purpose, but they were later informed that the final bill amounted to approximately ₹42 lakh.

Pravin Tarde explained that this sum became a major concern for the makers; they had limited resources yet wanted to release the film on a grand scale. Pravin said, "The bill came to ₹42 lakh. We didn't have that kind of money, nor did we have any source to raise such an amount." Consequently, they contacted Red Chillies and explained that 'Deool Band 2' was a regional Marathi film made on a limited budget.

The matter eventually reached Shah Rukh Khan, who sought details about the film and its makers from his technical team. The team informed him that 'Deool Band 2' was made by the same filmmakers behind 'Mulshi Pattern'—a film that was later adapted into Hindi as Salman Khan's 'Antim'.

Upon learning that the DCP was ready but being withheld due to non-payment, Shah Rukh immediately instructed Red Chillies to release it. Pravin Tarde said, "Shah Rukh Khan simply said, 'Waive their bill. This is a Marathi film. Give them the DCP; we can sort out the payment later. If the film is good, just hand over the DCP.'"

Pravin Tarde praised Shah Rukh Khan and the Red Chillies team. They showed respect for Marathi cinema and prioritized the film over financial considerations. He noted that Shah Rukh's support was particularly significant because, at the time, no one knew whether 'Deool Band 2' would be a hit or not.

Pravin Tarde said, "What Shah Rukh Khan did—supporting the film when it was nothing, when no one knew if it would succeed—will always be remembered. I will remain forever grateful to him." He also expressed a desire to personally organize a screening of the film for Shah Rukh. Pravin himself wrote the story and directed the film.

'Deool Band 2' features Snehal Tarde in the lead role, while Mohan Joshi once again appears as Swami Samarth. The film portrays the complex struggle surrounding farmers' suicides and the conflict between faith and skepticism. Its emotional narrative and strong word-of-mouth reception turned it into a historic blockbuster in Marathi cinema.

PC Social Media