Kannada films continue to flop in spite of moratorium

Moratorium does not get Kannada films audience
Business Standard
If the Kannada film industry was going to save itself by insisting on a seven-week moratorium on the release of new non-Kannada films, then it will have to look for other remedies.

Over the last seven weeks that the crisis resulting from this moratorium has been unfolding, 12 Kannada movies were released. Of these, 10 have been categorised ‘super flops’ by the industry and they have sunk without a trace. Only one has done well and the other barely managed to get back its money, said a producer who did not want to be quoted.

Because of the moratorium demand and agitation, over the last seven weeks most of the cinema theatres in Bangalore that exhibited non-Kannada films have been lying in a stupor.

“The last seven weeks had provided a ‘test-run’ for the policy of moratorium and the result is that it has fallen flat,” said exhibitor Dhananjay. The argument that the non-Kannada movies are responsible for the poor showing of Kannada movies is a “fiction”, affirmed a source well-versed with the industry.

The impasses, which began with an agitation on August 9, led by actor Rajkumar, has been defying a resolution. Why is this so?

“The vested interests leading the agitation are not those with any stake in the industry and have nothing to lose,” alleges Dhananjay. Producer Kumaraswamy adds: “Artistes alone cannot ensure a hit. For a movie to succeed at the box office, technical expertise, a strong story line, good music and special effects are required.”

He cites the case of his own production Chandra Chakori. The movie celebrated its 60th week in Belgaum, a Marathi-dominated area. Strategies like the seven-week moratorium cannot help the Kannada film industry till it can produce quality products, adds Kumaraswamy.

One compromise formula was aired on Sunday by MP and actor Ambarish, who has been working to assuage the feelings of the agitated members of the film industry.

He suggested that one release each of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and English movies, in that order, be permitted every week. But it was shot down by the exhibitors. “It would have led to a huge backlog of unreleased movies,” argued Dhananjay.

Sometime earlier, the Hindi, Telugu and Tamil film industry had resolved to boycott the Kannada film industry and deny it any help whatsoever. Kannada film industry sources initially denied that this had any effect but admitted that it could begin to pinch if the crisis continued for long.

Now, some exhibitors have decided to file a writ petition seeking the government’s help in opening the theatres and providing them protection from agitators. The petition is expected to be filed in the middle of this week.