SHIMOGA: Content, quality, commitment, investment and marketing patterns of Kannada cinema and television serials, and the responsibility of those concerned came in for criticism at a seminar on "Cinema and television" here, on the concluding day of the73rd All India KannadaSahitya Sammelan.

Tracing the history of Kannada cinema, vice-president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce V.H. Suresh said that despite problems, Kannada cinema industry had produced quality films between 1960 and 1980. Then the industry had concentrated on the story without compromising with any "forces," he said.

Later, with the estrangement of learned writers from the industry and the advent of business-oriented financiers, the industry was forced to accommodate tailor-made stories for non-professional purposes. In the process the industry lost its quality and credibility, he said.

Interference of financiers made a telling impact on the growth. It soured the business relationship between the producer and distributor and ethics of the industry, Mr. Suresh said.

The turnover of non-Kannada films in the State would run into crores of rupees though the cinema viewing population in the State is estimated at 18 per cent.

On the contrary, the Kannada cinema industry is yet to establish itself in other States.

President of the Karnataka Television Association B. Suresh said the annual turnover of television serials in the State was estimated at Rs. 1,200 crore. The television viewership in the State was estimated at 3.25 crore. Nine television channels beam 49 serials on all weekdays, he said.

Although writers hold the key, which had to produce dramas that sustain audience interest that run for over 40 pages for each serial, tough competition to gain the TRP (Target Audience Research) ratings had been causing health hazards and other human problems for the entire crew, he said.

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