Ban on non-Kannada films to stay

Ban on other language films to continue
Deccan Herald

The seven-week moratorium on release of other language films will continue in the State with the government-appointed panel deciding to maintain status quo on Monday.

The Kannada Film Exhibitors’ Federation has also agreed to allow release of new Kannada films from this week.

“Status quo will continue on release of other language films, while new Kannada films will be released this Friday,” Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) President S Ramesh told reporters.

The federation, in protest against the government’s moratorium, had imposed a Statewide ban on release of new Kannada films recently.

The panel headed by Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) K P Pandey held its second meeting to review the crisis in the film industry, which was attended by almost all its members. The members of the panel decided to meet again after elections to the office-bearers of the KFCC scheduled for September 24.
Kannada Film Producers’ Association President Basant Kumar Patil said the proposed “Save Kannada” jatha will be organised this month-end. “It is only an awareness rally and will be organised soon after the crisis over a High Court bench in North Karnataka blows over,” he said.

The panel has decided to recommend to the government a special police force to curb the menace of video piracy in the State.

“We will hold discussions with the Home Department and request it to take suitable action,” committee member and Secretary to the Department of Information and Tourism C S Kedar said.

On promoting the Kannada film industry, different sectors of the industry have been asked to submit their demands on issues like the government’s taxation policy on films and issues related to legal and infrastructure development, Mr Kedar said.