After the State Government gave its green signal allowing shooting of television serials with certain conditions along with easing restrictions to other sectors in lockdown 4.0, a delegation led by Karnataka Film Academy chairman Suneel Puranik including president of Karnataka Film Chamber Of Commerce Jairaj, KFCC former president Sa Ra Govindu met Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, pleading with representation to allow film shooting in the lockdown 5.0.

The delegation also included noted producer K Manju, M N Suresh, A Ganesh, Umesh Banakar, President of the Producers Association Praveen Kumar and others.

"We have given a representation to the Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to allow filming with limited crew once the lockdown 4.0 ends. We are hopeful after Yediyurappa has assured that he will look into it," says Mr. Suneel Puranik.

He goes onto add that Kannada film industry has suffered a loss of around Rs 500 crore due to lockdown. "More than fifty films have stopped with many of them left with just the shooting of songs and climax scenes to wrap up the shooting process. We have also assured that safety norms such as wearing of masks, and limiting crew during shooting will be followed," he said.

Also, the delegation urged the chief minister to allow operation of single screen theatres with certain conditions while the centre government decides on the fate of multiplexes.

The delegation also thanked the State Government for providing food item coupons worth over Rs 2 crore to various sectors of the Kannada film industry. The team also said that it has been requested to increase the ticket fare by Rs 5 so as to utilise the same for the producers welfare tr

Kannada movie U turn which had faced problem getting Bhoomika theatre issue has been solved by KFCC. This morning, U Turn movie was refused to screen at Bhoomika theater making way for Mahesh Babu Telugu movie Bramahotsavam. Theater is managed by Gnaneshwar Ital.

Producer and Distributor Manju, Popularly known as Jack Manju approached KFFC and they have a written letter to Ganeshwara Ital saying U Turn movie should be screened at Bhoomika only. Now it looks like the problem has been sorted.

Bhoomika Theatre Troubles U Turn - Exclusive

Sources close to chitraloka said, even though KFCC has said to screen the Kannada movie in Bhoomika, Ganeshwar Ital is not ready to screen and is going ahead with the Telugu movie release. Even they have released the Bramohatsavam movie paper advertisement for tomorrow announcing Bhoomika as main theater.

Kannada movie fighting for Theater against other language movie is a sad affair.

Now we have to see what KFFC action if U Turn does not get Bhoomika

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Bhoomika Theatre Troubles U Turn - Exclusive

To avoid release problems the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has decided to form a Screening committee soon. Off late, five to six films are getting released per week. Not only the audience are confused about which film to watch, the films are also facing a lack of audience. The reason for the increase in the number of releases is said to be astrology. As the producers are too much influenced by astrological predictions, they release their films on the date given to them but astrologers.

Earlier, there was a Screening committee and it used to decide which films must be released first based on the seniority of getting censored.

Now the KFCC is planning to form the Screening committee once again to avoid many number of film releases in a week.

The South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) is facing a backlash from the Kannada film industry for ignoring it even though the event is happening in Bengaluru for the first time.

SIIMA awards are usually held abroad where only the winners and sponsors participate. This time, it was claimed that the awards will be held in Bengaluru, the home of Kannada film industry, in memory of Puneeth Rajkumar. 

But surprisingly, SIIMA organizers sent 25 passes to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) as a perfunctory measure and did not bother to engage the industry in any way. The Kannada Film Producers Association for example was not even informed as a courtesy, let alone its functionaries being invited. 

Even the Karnataka Government gives annual film awards. The entire industry is invited to participate. Private entertainment channels also hold film awards and the industry representative bodies like KFCC, KFPA, Artistes Association and Directors Association are invited. Even when journalists conduct awards functions like Chandanavana Film Critics Academy Awards, the film industry is represented from all wings. 

SIIMA however is aloof. The question that requires an answer is; When you are holding a function in the name of Puneeth Rajkumar, why are you ignoring the Kannada film industry. Puneeth Rajkumar was also a producer, mentor and a pillar of the Kannada Film Industry. When a private organisation is holding a function in his name, the least it can do is involve the Kannada film industry in it.

It is not the first time that the State Government's announcement of subsidy for films have evoked criticism. In fact, it has become sort of a ritual during every such announcement . The subsidy list announced for the year 2008-09 is not an exemption.

This time senior producers like Rockline Venkatesh, Soorappa Babu and others have taken exception. Producer Dayal Padmanabhan is even contemplating legal action. More than the films making the list, the films that have not made it has everyone aghast. Vamshi, Ambari, Bandu Balaga, Circus, Bombat, Junglee, Minchina Ota are some of the big films that have failed to make it to the list. The films have top stars and big producers backing it.

But subsidy has gone to some films that are neither art films or acclaimed. "It hurts me. The day the subsidy was announced many friends called up. They wanted to know if my films was worse than those that have been given subsidy. I am not giving any complaint to anybody, but let it be known that I am unhappy," says Rockline Venkatesh. On the other hand Soorappa Babu has already complained to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. "I want the Film Chamber to call the film industry members; CV Shivashankar, Madusudan Reddy and KV Reddy and seek their explanation on how the subsidy list was arrived at. Those saying that producers who invest crores into each film should not worry about Rs 10 lakh subsidy are wrong. The question is not about Rs 10 lakh. It is about prestige. Is my film worse than those that are in the list. There are films like Chandulli Cheluve that was released after 16 years. Is Bandu Balaga, Vamshi, Circus or Bombat worse than those films?," asks Soorappa Babu.

Rockline Venkatesh has two suggestions. "I am not blaming the selection committee members, but they are not the right persons. The members were in the film industry many decades ago. They like films that were made in the 1960. They cannot understand the taste of films made in 2010. The selection committee should be more contemporary. Secondly, they can frame rules that subsidy is given only to select category of films. Let it be given only to low budget films. Because that is the mentality of selectors. They think big-budget films do not need subsidy. But subsidy is not about money alone. It is about selecting the best films of the year," Rockline says.

The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Thursday celebrated the Independence Day and actor-director Sudeep came over as the chief guest and hoisted the National flag.

The KFCC had organised the Independence Day celebration in the office premises and many film personalities were present during the occasion. Sudeep was invited as the chief guest and the actor came over and was a part of the celebrations.

KFCC president Jairaj along with office bearers, past presidents and members were present at the occasion.

Veteran Exhibitor Tallam Nanjunda Shetty aged 89 years has expired. He is the owner of Abhinay and States Theater in Bengaluru. Tallam was KFCC president in 2006-07.

Decades ago Tallam showed his guts when his Abhinay theatre was not granted the license. He told the licensing authority to put a bomb on the theatre or he would consume poison. He opened the bottle of poison and stood before Abhinay theatre the first Escalator theatre in India. Eventually Tallam won the battle.

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Actor Shivarajakumar has urged that there must be only one chamber for the film industry and if there are any disputes regarding Chamber, then everybody must sit in peace and make a discussion.

Recently, there were reports that Shankar Sugathe who had directed a film called 'Kadina Hakki' many years ago had formed a Chamber for the North Karnataka film industry as it was difficult for the film makers of North Karntaka to come to Bangalore and make movies. Karnataka Chamber of Commerce president Thomas D'Souza commented that there is only one chamber for the Kannada film industry.

On Tuesday during the marriage anniversary celebrations, Shivarajakumar also that there must be only one chamber for the Kannada film industry. 'There might be problems concerning certain sections of the film industry, but starting a separate chamber is not a solution for that. If there are any problems, then it is better to solve among ourselves rather than launching a new chamber' said Shivarajakumar.

Producer A Ganesh had called for protest and PressMeet on 26th May at 2 Pm at KFCC in order to support Sa Ra Govindu and team to continue in KFCC for the next one term. 

In the support of Sa Ra Govindu, top film personalities like Jaggesh, C R Manohar, Rockline Venkatesh, Soorappa Babu, K Manju, Jayanna, KC Ashok and others were present at KFCC. Okkutta President Ashok and his team also were attended the meet.

In the PressMeet, Rockline Venkatesh urged Sa Ra Govindu to retain his post and said "the other opposed members are also a part of this KFCC family and requested Sa Ra Govindu to continue as President. He also mentioned the points which Sa Ra Govindu has done to KFI."

Jaggesh speaking furthur added "since there is a news about the GST and commercial tax imposotion, KFCC needs potential and strong person to strongly hold the KFCC and KFi and this can be only done by Sa Ra Govindu." 

Jaggesh highlighted that it was Govindu who fought for the multiplex tickets tariff to be cut down to Rs 200 and also appreciated the struggle he went through to do that.

Kc Ashok, reminded everyone about the help Sa Ra GovinU did to the members of Okkuta and other sister organisations.

Sa Ra Govindu, was over whelmed by the support from media and people from the industry said that the final and mutual decision will be taken on June 14th in the General body meeting.

The Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Prahlad Joshi has invited Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, its president Mr. Jairaj, the office bearers along with former presidents including Sa Ra Govindu and others, to discuss on the proposal to impose 10% TDS on the theatrical revenue that producers make on each film.

The proposal which was made in the latest Union Budget, is in addition to the tax already paid by the producers on revenue from the sale of telecast rights to satellite TV and digital platforms.

Recently, KFCC President Jairaj, former president Sa Ra Govindu, KCN chandrashekar, secretary NM suresh, Vice President Naganna and Roopa Iyer met the Union Minister in Bengaluru.

It is learnt that the delegation from the KFCC discussed expressing concern over the implementation of TDS. Following the meeting, Union Minister Mr. Prahlad Joshi has invited KFCC office bearers to New Delhi to discuss on the matter. Further, the members of the film body will be leaving to Delhi on 12th of March.

Film pundits feel that the TDS proposal is likely to hit cash flows of the movie producers.

Veteran Film producer, distributor and exhibitor KV Guptha has expired. He was aged 86 and was admitted to hopital last week after diagnosing Cornoa. Guptha has left behind two sons and one daughter.

KV Guptha has served as the KFCC President and SIFCC president.

He had produced Beegara Pandya, I Love You, Nanna Thamma and other movies.

He has distributed many movies and was an instrumental in getting good producers for the film industry. Guptha was the main person for getting Sathya Harishchandra movie done in Kannada starring Dr Rajkumar in lead.

He was the bridge for the Karnataka and Chennai movie industry. 

Chitraloka mourn the death of the legendary person KV Guptha.

It was a peasant surprise for Kannada producer K Manju. Tamil actor-producer Vishal who had come to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce for a meeting on Saturday saw Manju for the first time there and identified an actor in him. 

Vishal approached Manju and asked him if he had acted before and if he wished to act in films. Manju has produced over 40 films in Kannada and acted in guest roles in quite a few. He has not done a full fledged character role though. Vishal's enquiry floored him. 

Vishal did not know about Manju but just looking at him for the first time he was convinced that Manju would make a good actor. He asked if Manju would consider acting in a Tamil film if a role was offered to him. Manju was all smiles and charmed over with the offer.

For all practical reasons the land granted to the Kannada film industry to build a film city is lost now. Over 300 acres of land has gone back to the government. The High Court of Karnataka last recently ordered that the government will decide what to do with the land. This is because a case was filed by environmentalists that the land was wild grassland and no construction can take place.

The case was filed two years ago but the land was allotted 30 years ago. So not using it is the failure of Kannada film industry and no one else. The film city idea was accepted by the then chief minister of Karnataka Ramakrishna Hegde who helped the KFI shift from Madras to Bangalore in the 1980s. Shankar Nag was one of the early generators of the idea. Years later Ravichandran gave a grand proposal. But the infighting in the industry did not help matters. Some people were not happy that the industry shifted from Madras to Bangalore. Some others like Rajendra Singh Babu wanted Mysore to become the hub of the film industry. In the middle of all these opinions, the film city was never built. Now the court has given permission that if the government decides to build a film city in that land a case can be filed again.

A dubbed film from Tamil is releasing on March 3. The date has been carefully chosen to hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas. 

Challenges Before Dubbing - Exclusive

March 3 is a significant date in the history of Kannada films. It is the day that the first Kannada talkie film Sati Sulochana was released more than 80 years ago. It heralded the arrival of Kannada Language films independent from the silent era films before that. By releasing the dubbed film on March 3, a message is being sent that Independence of Kannada film industry is at stake. It is like holding a Pakistani film festival on Indian Independence Day. 

The people behind dubbing should keep in mind the sentiments of Kannadigas. Was March 3 chosen only to provoke those who do not like dubbing? What next? Will they choose Dr Rajkumar's birthday to release their next dubbed film?

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The deadline to the decision to stop screening of films in South India from March 1 is nearing. The decision was first taken by Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce in December last year and was supported by the Tamil industry and finally the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. The Kannada film industry is yet to take a decision. But with the South Indian chamber supporting the cause it may follow suit. 

Major problems Chitraloka was told are these –

The problem is with digital service providers who beam the films to theatres via satellite. They are charging exorbitant charges allege film makers. The service providers like Qube and UFO have also locked theatres in a 10 years lease not allowing other provides to be deployed thereby creating a monopoly. Film makers have tried to settle the issue through talks but till now none of the service providers have come forward for talks it is said. 

The KFCC is expected to take a decision on the stopping of screening and film activities from March 1 shortly.

Is the senior producer-distributor-exhibitor N Kumar contesting for the post of president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce? This is the latest news from the battleground. Until now only three names have been in the contention for the post including NM Suresh.

But now the name of Kumar has added spice to the already charged election scenario. Kumar has been part of the KFCC managing body for many years now. He is one of the biggest producers, distributors and exhibitors in the industry. Kumar is a much respected figure in the industry and if he participates in the election the scope of the election will change.

But as of now Kumar has not officially announced his intention. But sources say that his supporters are putting big pressure on him to join the fray.

Long pending Okkuta workers remuneration issue has been solved. Under the leader ship of KFCC President Sa Ra Govindu, Producers Secretary MG Ramamurthy had several meeting with Okkuta federations.Finally today KFCC and Okkuta signed the agreement for the new wages effecting from 1st November.

Last wages hike was done in 2011 and was supposed to get renewed in 2014. Since there was confusion regarding the hike it was delayed.

Actors Ravichandran and Shivarajakumar who head the committee to solve the workers remuneration issue on Thursday met at Ravichandran's residence and discussed the future course of action. Though most of the problems have been rectified the confusion continues as the remuneration issue of two prominent associations of the association is yet to be decided.

On Thursday the committee met and derived a solution for which the Okkotta chief Ashok and secretary Ravindranath has given their nod. The committee has decided that it must not be made compulsary to use the managers, cars and canteen of the Union. It was also decided to cancel the journey expenses and washing allowance for the workers. The shooting call sheet has been revised from 7 AM to 7 PM. After that for every three hours, a rate has been fixed.

All these suggestions have been accepted by Union president Ashok and secretary Ravindranath. But this is not final because, not all associations of the union have given a nod to this. The fighters as well as the dancers association is yet to give their nod for these suggestions. If those two associations also back these suggestions, then the suggestions recommended by the committee will be put before the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. The KFCC will finally approve this and the revised remuneration will come into effect.

'As of now the union president and secretary have accepted the proposal or suggestions. But the final agreement can be made only after the two associations accept this' says producer Krishnegowda (one of the members of the committee) to Chitraloka.com.

Will the two associations give nod and what will happen on the 29th of June is yet to be seen?

ಕೊರೊನಾ ಶಾಕ್‍ನಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗ ಈ ವರ್ಷ 47 ಮಂದಿಯನ್ನು ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದೆ. ನಿರ್ಮಾಪಕರು, ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರು, ತಂತ್ರಜ್ಞರು, ಕಲಾವಿದರು.. ಹೀಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿ ವಿಭಾಗದಲ್ಲೂ ಸಾವಿನದ್ದೇ ಅಟ್ಟಹಾಸ.  ಹೀಗೆ ಮೃತಪಟ್ಟ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಫಿಲಂ ಚೇಂಬರ್ ಸಾಮೂಹಿಕವಾಗಿ ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾಂಜಲಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಿದೆ.

ಚೇಂಬರ್ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಗಂಗರಾಜ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾಂಜಲಿ ಸಭೆ ಆಯೋಜಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಫಿಲಂ ಚೇಂಬರ್ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಜೈರಾಜ್ ನೇತೃತ್ವದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶಿವರಾಜ್ ಕುಮಾರ್, ತಾರಾ, ಜಯಮಾಲಾ.. ಆದಿಯಾಗಿ ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಪಾಲ್ಗೊಂಡು ಅಗಲಿದ ಗಣ್ಯರಿಗೆ ಶ್ರದ್ಧಾಂಜಲಿ ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿದರು.

ರೆಬಲ್‍ಸ್ಟಾರ್ ಅಂಬರೀಷ್ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಫಿಲಂಚೇಂಬರ್‍ನ ನೂತನ ಸದಸ್ಯರು, ಪದಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಆತ್ಮೀಯವಾಗಿ ಸನ್ಮಾನ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಫಿಲಂಚೇಂಬರ್ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಚಿನ್ನೇಗೌಡ, ಕಾರ್ಯದರ್ಶಿಗಳಾದ ಬಾ.ಮಾ.ಹರೀಶ್, ಶಿಲ್ಪ ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ್,ಸುಂದರ್ ರಾಜ್, ಉಪಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಕರಿಸುಬ್ಬು, ಕೆ.ಮಂಜು, ಖಜಾಂಚಿ ಕೆ.ಎಂ.ವೀರೇಶ್ ಅಂಬರೀಷ್ ಅವರನ್ನು ಆತ್ಮೀಯವಾಗಿ ಸನ್ಮಾನಿಸಿದರು.

ಕಲಾವಿದರ ಸಂಘದ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಹಾಗೂ ಚಿತ್ರರಂಗದ ಹಿರಿಯ ನಟರಾಗಿರುವ ಅಂಬರೀಷ್ ನೂತನ ಸದಸ್ಯರಿಗೆ ಶುಭ ಹಾರೈಸಿದರು. ಫಿಲಂಚೇಂಬರ್‍ನ ಎದುರು ಇರುವ ಸವಾಲುಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಅವುಗಳಿಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಮೂಲಕ ನೀಡಬಹುದಾದ ಸಹಕಾರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದರು.