Amol Palekar recalled receiving a call from Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray for not allowing politicians on MAMI Film Festival's stage. "[He] asked, 'Why are you insulting ministers?'" he said, adding, "I....explained to him how...festival was being organised without...government funding...I said...first five rows were kept for...ministers, but on stage, there'll be only film personalities."