The Hindu : Karnataka / Madikeri News : Kasaravalli faced protest during filming

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 15, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka - Madikeri

Kasaravalli faced protest during filming

Jeevan Chinnappa

MADIKERI: When activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and others raised a ruckus over the filming of the Kannada movie "Achala" on November 17 last year at Gaddige — mausoleums of the former rulers of Kodagu here — no one had an inkling that the film would gain national recognition. The movie was later rechristened "Hasina" and the actress Tara has now bagged the national award for best actress, apart from two more awards for the film.

Not many of the VHP agitators knew the credentials of the director Girish Kasaravalli, who has won many national and State awards for his signal contribution to the Kannada film industry. The shooting of the movie had to be called off temporarily owing to the protests.

The protesters contended that putting up a structure in the Islamic style at a place where the former Lingayat rulers of the region are buried offended Hindu sentiments. Mr. Kasaravalli and his team were nonplussed as the number of protesters swelled in a span of a few hours.

The then Assistant Commissioner, Nagaraj, and police personnel visited the spot to assess the situation. After a meeting with the protesters, Mr. Kasaravalli agreed to remove the temporary structure. Shooting resumed late the next day.

"The shooting went on for over 10 days... " recalls Addanda C. Cariappa, noted playwright and director of the Kodava movie "Bal Polandat." Mr. Cariappa and his wife, Anita, played minor roles in the movie.

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Kasaravalli faced protest during filming