The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Exhibitors urge stars to call off stir

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 25, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Exhibitors urge stars to call off stir

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, NOV. 24. Even as the Kannada Film industry supported by the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, the State unit of the Dalit Sangharsh Samithi and many organisations, including the KSRTC workers and autorikshaw drivers unions, is set to begin its agitation from Thursday, the Karnataka Chalanachitra Pradarshakara Sangha (exhibitors' association) said on Wednesday that it was committed to observe three-week moratorium in releasing new non-Kannada films and appealed to the film stars, producers and distributors to withdraw the proposed agitation. In a release here, Tallam Nanjundashetty, honorary president of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Pradarshakara Sangha, said that the exhibitors were not working against the interests of Kannada cinema. The sangha, in a meeting today, decided to hold talks with the Government highlighting the problems of the exhibitors.

Ambarish offers support

Meanwhile, there was speculation that the Government planned to prevent thespian Rajkumar and actor Vishnuvardhan from reaching the venue. There were reports that the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, had urged the Congress MP and actor, Ambarish, and the president of the Kannada Film Directors' Association, S.V. Rajendra Singh (Babu), to persuade Mr. Rajkumar to drop the agitation plan.

Mr. Ambarish told a private television channel at Srirangapatna that he would not be able to participate in the agitation because of personal commitments, but extended his support.

There was confusion among the organisers of the agitation over their meeting point as the police might not allow them to gather in the vicinity of Vidhana Soudha.

According to sources, Mr. Rajkuamr and Mr. Vishnuvardhan would travel in a "red open jeep" followed by a fleet of vehicles. Although Mr. Rajkumar was said to be willing to sit through the dharna, he might not be able to do so because of his age and failing health.

The organisers clarified that it would be a peaceful agitation and only activities connected with the film industry would come to a halt.

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