Rajkumar-led dharna at Soudha today

Rajkumar-led dharna at Soudha today
Exhibitors’ Proposal for 1-Week Moratorium Rejected
Times of India

Bangalore: l The Kannada film industry, led by Rajkumar, will stage a demonstration in front of Kengal Hanumanthaiah’s statue at Vidhana Soudha at 10 am on Thursday.

l Theatre-owners launch a new body — Karnataka Cinema Exhibitors’ Association.
On Wednesday, exhibitors proposed a one-week moratorium and six prints (present three weeks and six prints) for release of other language films, to prevent the Rajkumar-led agitation. But they were rebuffed. Upset, theatre owners launched the new body and announced they will not support the industry’s call to close down theatres.

A helpless chief minister N. Dharam Singh requisitioned the services of actor and Congress MP Ambarish, who had earlier donned the role of trouble-shooter on the issue, but gave up midway.
However, he termed “unfortunate’’ that Rajkumar was leading the agitation. “He is more than an actor. He is a respectable citizen. We are unhappy that he is participating in the strike,’’ he said.
Industry spokesperson Mukhyamantri Chandru told The Times of India on Wednesday that discussions with theatre owners can happen only after six theatres stop screening the Hindi film Veer-Zaara.

However, former Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Tallam N. Nanjundashetty, who heads the newly launched exhibitors’ association said: “Our hands are tied as these six theatre owners did not join our association. Besides, they have legal backing to screen the film.’’ He said that all six theatre owners had their own problems. “While one theatre is coming up for auction, another has been mortgaged to a bank. It’s a question of the owners’ livelihood.’’

Nanjundashetty sought a study to analyse whether the moratorium boosted revenue collections and promoted Kannada films. “On the contrary, the government lost revenue. Prior to the moratorium, a theatre owner was paying Rs 18 lakh as entertainment tax for eight weeks. Now, he is paying only Rs 3 lakh under deferred releases,’’ he contended.

He claimed that the Kannada film industry was not in a position to supply prints of new movies to all theatres. “There are 1,200 theatres in the state. Kannada films are released only in 400 theatres. What should the other theatres do?’’ he asked.

In response, Chandru admitted that the Kannada film industry could not supply prints to all theatres.

CUT, CUT

Clapboard:
Exhibitors propose one-week moratorium, move rejected. Float new forum.

Showdown:
Film industry to stage dharna on Thursday, exhibitors refuse to close down theatres.

Helpless:
CM Dharam Singh says the government acknowledges the problems of the industry. Our hands are tied.