Film row: Producers step in with a threat

Film row: Producers step in with a threat

Telugu film producer K S Rama Rao meets KFCC president Gangaraj and discusses the possibility of release of Telugu films, simultaneously
Deccan Herald

The Producers’ Guild of India is reportedly contemplating to initiate legal action against those responsible for enforcing the three-week moratorium on non-Kannada films in Karnataka. The Guild is also likely to claim damage.

In a press statement issued by K V Dhananjay, a member of the Guild in Bangalore on Wednesday, “the guild is contemplating of filing tort claims against some individuals. The claims may run into several crores of rupees and members of the Guild will shortly quantify the losses incurred by its members. The said suit may be filed in courts in Mumbai.” Sources in the film industry said legal experts have been contacted to look out for more individuals and associations that can be implicated. The decision will be finalised within three weeks, the sources added.
When asked if any new films would be simultaneously released in the State, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President H D Gangaraj said that no restriction can be imposed on simultaneous releases.

“The issue is before the court. If we impose any restriction then it becomes a contempt of court. We can only try and dissuade the exhibitors not to release films, through discussion and dialogue,” said Mr Gangaraj. If simultaneous releases have to be stopped then the government will have to pass an ordinance, he added. The producers, exhibitors and distributors will soon decide on simultaneous releases, he said. Kannada Film Producers’ Association President Basant Kumar Patil said, KFCC has assured the producers that barring the six theatres, which have violated the three-week moratorium, no other theatre will release new non-Kannada films.

Mr K S Rama Rao, Telugu film producer met Mr Gangaraj and requested that the Chamber allow simultaneous release of Telugu films.

Meanwhile, in a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Karnataka Film Exhibitors’ Federation President R R Odugoudar put forth certain demands on Wednesday. Among them are: restoring service charges in all theatres — Rs 2 for non-air conditioned and Rs 3 for air conditioned theatres; abolition of show tax ranging between Rs 35 to 235; separate category for temporary and semi-permanent theatres by December 31 and that theatres be given industrial tariff on power.

According to sources in the film industry, Mr Odugoudar would meet Mr Siddaramaiah on December 13 or 14.