Why this hullabaloo going on with regard to the seven weeks moratorium for non Kannada films? The mega portal of Kannada cinema Chitraloka went deep into the cause of strong protest and assessed some vital issues.
The assessment of status of Kannada films from Bidar to Mysore discloses some astonishing facts. The priority attached to Kannada films is in the districts of Mysore, Mandya, Hassan and to some extent in Coorg. Rest of the areas are catering to non Kannada films is what worries deeply the Kannada filmdom.
There are seven areas for the marketing of films. The
BKT – Bangalore Kolar and Tumkur
MMCH – Mandya, Mysore, Coorg and Hassan,
SCB – Shimoga, Chickmagalur and Bhadravathi,
Bombay Karnataka – Bijapur, Belgaum, Dharwad and Karwar,
Chitradurga-Bellary
Hyderabad Karnataka – Bidar, Gulbarga and Raichur and
South Kanara – Mangalore and surroundings.
The continuous flow of non Kannada films to a maximum extent in majority of pockets has firstly ruined the status of Kannada films. Most of the places it is inevitable for the audience and big Kannada films are taken in a very few theatres. Except Dr.Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Ravichandran films Ramu and Rockline banner films none other banner films get an iota of priority.
The Kannada filmdom has been assessing this tragic blow to Kannada films from many years and off late the restriction of 7 weeks moratorium has been made compulsory. The Kannada films get proper market in their own state properly the revenue for it increases from Rs.1 to 1.5 crores is the estimate. This estimate and concentration of our market properly has lead to this protest is what Chitraloka has understood.
Take a look at adjacent Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Mumbai – long ago they have kicked out Kannada films from screening. Is it because non Kannada films expanded market by going in for 300 to 400 prints of their films we have to suffer for our language films is the pertinent question that has come up seriously now.
Coming to exhibitors all over the state they are not badly placed. The majority of exhibitors in 1100 are well placed not because they have been Satya Harischandras but by practicing wrong tactics. That is avoiding taxes to the Government of Karnataka. When it comes as a cause of Kannada they want to keep away. Are they not living in Kannada Mannu? Have they not cleared their loans? Let one exhibitor show his pitiable condition? Over the years they have become comfortable. They are eating in silver plates at the cost of Kannada films.
At least now get up for the cause of Kannada and Kannada films is what the humble request the Kannada filmdom is making. That is why we say the cause is right.
The fear expressed by top leaders like Dr.Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhana and others is absolutely right. We have not made for ourselves. Karnataka has given always. For the future generation we don’t have anything concrete to follow.
It is the bounded duty of non Kannadigas staying in Karnataka to adhere to the principles is apt.
The cross section of people who spoke to Chitraloka expressed one single opinion that at any cost Kannada and Kannada films should not suffer in its own land.