Artistes associated with the Sangeetsurya Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagruha, popularly known as the Palace Theatre, staged a protest on Tuesday to oppose the proposal to privatise the historic building in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur district. The artistes demanded that the theatre remain under the control of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC). Anand Kale, television and film actor, said, “The rangakarmis (artistes) have worked with the Kolhapur administration to renovate the Palace Theatre. We are even willing to pay increased rent per show at the theatre.” The artistes have expressed willingness to pay increased rent but want the theatre to be controlled by the KMC.