Just weeks after the director Pravin Tarde revealed that: Shah Rukh Khan waived a Rs 42 lakh Digital Cinema Package (DCP) fee to help ‘Deool Band 2’ get a theatrical release, the Marathi film crossed the Rs 100 crore mark at the worldwide box office. While many applauded Shah Rukh’s generosity, some questioned why a Muslim actor would support a film centered around a Hindu deity. Tarde has now hit back at the criticism, insisting that kindness should not be viewed through the lens of religion.Tarde remembers how the support was. He said in an interview with Podkatta, “What is the Hindu-Muslim issue in this? He is a part of the film industry, and so am I. We approached his company looking for a discount because we had Rs 12-13 lakh, while the bill was around Rs 43 lakh. Shah Rukh asks his team if the film is good. They tell him it’s a very good film, and he immediately orders them to hand over the DCP, saying we can discuss the payment later.“Elaborating further, he said that the film is ready for release but the payments are still pending. “The film is ready for release, and we have to clear the bills. He simply said, ‘Give them the DCP first. We will settle the bill later.’ Isn’t that great? If someone helps us with such a big heart, should we ignore that kindness because of caste or religion? We have to recognize this.”Tarde also rejected claims that thanking Shah Rukh Khan was against his ideological beliefs. “As far as Hindutva is concerned, I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Appreciating Shah Rukh Khan has nothing to do with my Hindutva ideology. A good man is a good man.”Earlier, in an interview with Abhijat Marathi Filmy, Tarde detailed the financial hurdle his team faced before the release of the film. “The bill came to Rs 42 lakh. We don’t really have that kind of money, nor do we know where it comes from. We approached Red Chillies and explained that ours is a Marathi film with a limited budget, but we want to give it a wide release.According to the filmmaker, Shah Rukh’s decision was immediate. “He just said, ‘Waive off their bill. It’s a Marathi film. Give them the DCP. We can sort out the payments later. If it’s a good film, release it.’ They show great respect towards Marathi cinema. For him, film is more important than money. I thank all these people for the success of the film.”His remarks, however, also sparked criticism from some sections, with detractors accusing him of drawing unnecessary attention to a Bollywood superstar instead of celebrating Marathi’s prominence in film.In response to the backlash, Tarde posted a strongly worded note on Instagram. “I traveled across Maharashtra: all this time, but no one seemed to notice me. But the moment I mentioned the name of a Bollywood star, everyone’s pens started moving. Some people have tried hard to stop this film, but they can’t. So now, why fight it indirectly? This movie has come this far without the support of any so-called big names or influential people. It has reached here because the effort behind it is honest and sincere. Thanks for everything.“He also quoted a line of famous Marathi poet Vinda Karandikar, saying that his message was that no one can become great by denying someone the credit they deserve. “Whether it’s Pitya (the film’s character) or Shah Rukh Khan, it doesn’t matter. If someone has helped you, you should acknowledge it openly and thank them publicly.”With worldwide earnings now crossing Rs 100 crore, ‘Deool Band 2’ has emerged as the third highest grossing Marathi film of all time, behind ‘Raja Shivaji’ and ‘Sairat’.