* Census data focuses on languages, not dialects: The Indian census primarily records the language spoken at home, not specific dialects like Marathi.
* Marathi is spoken in multiple states: While Maharashtra is the primary state, Marathi is also spoken in parts of neighboring states like Karnataka, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.
However, we can estimate the Marathi speaking population based on available information:
* 2011 Census: The 2011 census reported Marathi as the primary language spoken by 83 million people in India. This represents about 7.7% of India's total population.
* Maharashtra Population: Maharashtra has a population of over 112 million, with a majority speaking Marathi as their primary language.
Therefore, it's safe to say that the Marathi speaking population in India is likely over 83 million and could be significantly higher, considering those who speak Marathi as a second or third language.
Keep in mind that this is an approximation, and the actual number could be higher.