Karnataka - Bangalore   

Anger over insult to Kannada cinema

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Angered by the perceived insult to the late actor Rajkumar and the Kannada cinema industry at the 37th International Film Festival of India being held in Goa, the Kannada film industry is planning to organise protests throughout the State after December 10.

A meeting will be convened to finalise plans for the protest. Since some producers and artistes, including Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Ambareesh, are busy with the Chamundeshwari byelection, the meeting is likely to be held on December 10th, according to sources in the industry.

The industry has taken objection to the "insult" to Kannada cinema by the Entertainment Society of Goa and the Government of Goa, organisers of the festival. In the festival souvenir, the photograph of the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli was "mistakenly" published in place of that of Rajkumar. In a bid to cover up their blunder, the organisers withdrew the souvenir. They then released a fresh brochure without any reference either to Rajkumar or Kannada cinema breaking their promises that they would take corrective measures, according to the sources in the industry.

The sources, who attended inauguration of the festival, said that the organisers had taken south Indian cinema, particularly Kannada films, for granted. The details given about some films, such as the Rajkumar starrer Bangarada Manushya reflected the organisers' indifference to, and scant respect for, Kannada cinema.

The film, based on a novel, drew national attention in the early 70s for its back-to-the-village theme and commercial success. The film was screened at the ongoing festival in the homage section.

Many noted personalities of Kannada cinema, including Girish Kasaravalli, K.S.L. Swamy, Ravichandran and S. Narayan, who are now in Goa, reportedly registered their protest.

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