Film producers’ association president Patil denies any suggestion of dropping moratorium

Film producers talk of print restrictions

Film producers’ association president Patil denies any suggestion of dropping moratorium

Deccan Herald

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) President H D Gangaraj on Monday said that the producers have decided to drop their demand for imposing moratorium on the release of non-Kannada films and, instead, have agreed for restricting the circulation of number of prints.

“Most of the producers have decided to drop the demand for imposing moratorium. They have asked me to work out a solution wherein restrictions will be put on number of prints to be circulated among theatres at a time,” Mr Gangaraj told Deccan Herald.

The newly-formed exhibitors association too has agreed for print restriction in place of moratorium. “In fact, none of us can discuss the moratorium issue as it amounts to contempt of court. This will be officially announced after meeting the Deputy Chief Minister Siddharamaiah shortly,” he added.

According to industry sources, circulation of prints for new non-Kannada movies would be restricted to either six or eight. While a section of exhibitors have said that they have no objection on six prints, others are of the view that at least eight prints have to be circulated following launching of second multiplex in Bangalore.
Kannada Film Producers’ Association President Basant Kumar Patil, however, denied it and said that there is no question of dropping the issue of moratorium. “We will never drop this demand. We have been keeping silence, despite some people breaking the moratorium as the Chief Minister Dharam Singh had requested us to wait for two-weeks,” he added.

The producers will meet Mr Singh on December 17 and apprise him about the latest developments, including defying of moratorium by exhibitors in Bangalore. “If the Government fails to stop them (exhibitors), our next course of action will be chalked out,” he stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Siddaramaiah has sought more time to the Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation with respect to reviewing the three-week moratorium. “The Deputy Chief Minister asked more time to review it as he is presently busy with his official engagements,” the Federation President R R Odugoudar said. The Federation executive committee members met Mr Siddaramaiah on Monday, urging him to review the moratorium.

But Mr Odugoudar also added that the final decision on the three-week moratorium will be taken by the Federation’s executive committee, which will meet on December 15.