The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Dharam Singh to convene meeting tomorrow

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Dharam Singh to convene meeting tomorrow

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, NOV. 16. The Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, reportedly took objection to the reported "autocratic attitude" of some film exhibitors, which is said to be threatening the law and order situation, and assured a delegation of the Kannada Film Producers' Association (KFPA) that the Government would convene a high-level meeting on Thursday to discuss the crisis in the film industry, according to sources.

Mr. Dharam Singh reportedly told the delegation late on Tuesday that the Government was not happy with the developments that occurred on the eve of the conference of the Chief Ministers of the Southern States. He reportedly said the Government was aware that the attitude of some exhibitors might lead to law and order problems. Although screening of non-Kannada films was an "internal problem" of the film industry, the Government could not remain a mute spectator when there was a threat to law and order. In the interest of maintaining peace, the Government would initiate action immediately, he added.

`Withdraw film'

"Upset" over the release of the Hindi film, Veer Zaara, on Monday evening, the KFPA held a marathon meeting on Tuesday morning. The meeting decided to ask the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce to instruct the owners of Cauvery, Vaibhav and Swagath cinemas to withdraw the film, as it was not released through "the proper channel." It also decided to hold a protest demonstration under the leadership of Kannada matinee idol Rajkumar on Wednesday if the film was not withdrawn from the cinemas.

Pending a final decision, a delegation of the KFPA held detailed discussions with the KFCC executive committee members. When many members representing exhibitors pleaded helplessness, the KFPA delegation asked them to convince the three exhibitors in question to withdraw the film within 24 hours, "or else quit the KFCC."

Even as the talks were in progress, a group of people, said to be members of the Kannada Rakshana Vedike, barged into the KFCC office and criticised the KFCC president, H.D. Ganagaraj, and former president of the Rajkumar Fans' Association Sa. Ra. Govindu, according to sources.

Talks held

At the suggestion of the KFPA, Mr. Gangaraj reportedly held talks with the owners of Cauvery, Vaibhav and Swagath cinemas.

It was not confirmed whether these cinemas would continue to screen Veer Zaara as the Government was concerned about the law and order situation on a day when an important conference was being organised, sources said.

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