Raj declares war, prepare for a bloody Thursday

Film industry crisis deepens,Raj decides to lead agitation
Chief Minister Dharam Singh is learnt to have unofficially requested exhibitors to stop screening new non-Kannada films.
Deccan Herald

The Kannada filmdom on Monday, mounted pressure on the State Government by rejecting Chief Minister N Dharam Singh’s offer for talks to resolve the crisis and, in turn, placed a fresh demand to legalise the moratorium on the release of non-Kannada films. “We want the government to impose the moratorium and no talks will be held till the screening of new non-Kannada films are stopped,” the industry’s newly-designated spokesperson ‘Mukhya Mantri’ Chandru told mediapersons in Bangalore.

Besides, the producers have also decided to stick to their previous demand for seven-weeks moratorium, instead of the present three-weeks. “The exhibitors have insulted us. We had agreed for the three-week condition with due respect to the Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. But now, we will not agree for anything less than the seven-week restriction on the release of non-Kannada films,” Mr Chandru said.

‘Ready for any sacrifice’
He said the government should enact separate legislation to keep the non-Kannada exhibitors under check and to make them implement the moratorium strictly. “This is only our suggestion. Let the government take any step. It is their (State Government’s) headache. But it should see to it that the moratorium is strictly implemented,” he stated.

Thespian Rajkumar, on the other hand, declared that he would lead the November 25 dharna and bundh call against the defying of moratorium and said he was ready to make any sacrifice. “I am ready for any kind of sacrifice. Let all of us (Kannadigas) sacrifice ourselves, if necessary, in the interest of Kannada.” he said.

Similar demands in the past to protect Kannada language, have met with cold response. But this is the “decisive” and “final” move, and we will not budge till the government takes concrete steps to impose the moratorium, the veteran actor said at a press conference attended by cine actors Vishnuvardhan, Upendra, Ravichandran, Ashok and others. The meeting was held at Rajkumar’s residence in Sadhashivnagar.

Expressing similar concerns, Vishnuvardhan took a dig at the government for “neglecting” Kannada language and culture. “I wonder what evil spirit is holding back the government from protecting Kannada,” he said while exhorting all Kannadigas to take part in Thursday’s protest.

In fact, the presence of Vishnuvardhan and Upendra in Monday’s media conference and the open support they extended to the Kannada film producers in the ongoing crisis took every one by surprise. This, according to industry sources, has put the producers in good stead.

Both the stars had hitherto maintained equi-distance and had not identified themselves with any warring parties.

Meanwhile, the producers have flatly rejected the Chief Minister’s offer for talks in the morning and stuck to their decision not to hold talks. “We have rejected Mr Singh’s call for talks. Where is the point in talking to the government when the exhibitors are openly defying the moratorium. Any talks will happen, only after the moratorium is made official and the film screening is stopped,” Mr Chandru said.

KFCC president H D Gangaraj and vice president Sa Ra Govindu participated in meeting, which was put off for Monday evening. Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, however, expressed confidence that the crisis will be solved and talks will be held with producers shortly.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have unofficially urged the non-Kannada exhibitors to stop screening new non-Kannada films. Mr Singh, who held a meeting with the representatives of the exhibitors, asked them not to create a law and order problem by further defying the moratorium.

BATTLE PLAN

ON THURSDAY (Nov 25)
*Observe total bundh.
*Rajkumar-led dharna near
Vidhan Soudha from 10 am - 5 pm.

ON MONDAY (Nov 29)
*Indefinite film industry
bundh in the State
*Picketing before theatres
defying moratorium.
*Stop the release of new
films with force.
*Agitation in all districts.

STAGE WHISPERS ON FILM ROW

A parallel chamber?

Apparently upset with Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce’s “failure” to initiate action against exhibitors, the producers have resolved to set up a parallel film chamber for Karnataka, Mr Mukya Mantri Chandru declared. Instead of supporting the producers, the present KFCC President H D Gangaraj has stood by the non-Kannada exhibitors in their effort to release non-Kannada films, he alleged.

Action against BMP commissioner

Guess who has attracted the wrath of the Kannada filmdom. It is Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner K Jothiramalingam though he has no role in this issue.

But the Kannada filmdom has demanded the Government to initiate action against him as he reportedly spoke in Tamil with Mr Mukhya Mantri Chandru, when the latter sought his appointment. “When I asked the Commissioner to speak in Kannada, he refused to do so and inturn, curtly replied that he do not know Kannada,” Mr Chandru complained and demanded that he should be transferred.
He further said that most IAS officers are against the moratorium and all of them should be sent back to their respective States.

When contacted: Mr Jothiramalingam denied to have spoken in Tamil. “I make it a point to speak in Kannada with everyone. Though I do not know how to write in Kannada, I can comfortably speak in that language,” he added.

Star quote

Rajkumar: I am ready for any kind of sacrifice. Let all of us (Kannadigas) sacrifice ourselves, if necessary, in the interest of Kannada ..... This is the “decisive” and “final” move, and we will not budge till Government takes steps to impose the ban.

Vishnuvardhan: I wonder what evil spirit is holding back the Government from imposing moratorium to protect Kannada film and the language.

Mukya Mantri Chandru: We have rejected Mr Singh’s call for talks. Where is the point in talking to the Government when exhibitors are openly defying the moratorium. Any talks will happen, only after the moratorium is made official and the film screening is stopped.

PLEA DISMISSED

The Karnataka High Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation which had questioned imposition of moratorium on release of non-Kannada films in the State.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Nauvdip Kumar Sodhi and Justice S R Nayak dismissed the petition, filed by Mr S Vasudeva of Bangalore, after the government advocate informed the court that the government has not issued any orders in this regard.