The Hindu : Karnataka News : Film industry abuzz over ban on actor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Nov 02, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Film industry abuzz over ban on actor

S. Shiva Kumar

Actor Vijay

BANGALORE: The Kannada film industry is abuzz with the news of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce banning Vijay — the young, promising Kannada hero — from donning the greasepaint for a year. Vijay, who started out with minor roles, hit big time when Duniya, his first film as hero, became a runaway hit, turning him into a star overnight.

Producer S. Narayan hired Vijay to do Chanda and he agreed on a reported gentlemen’s agreement that it would be released only after Vijay’s second film, Yuga, completes a 50-day run, according to Mr. Vijay. Mr. Narayan reportedly agreed but once he finished his film he was eager to release it a week after Yuga. Vijay refused to dub for the film, but an unrelenting Narayan went ahead and hired somebody else to do the dubbing.

The Producer’s Council intervened and asked Mr. Vijay to dub for the film. A reluctant Vijay agreed to do so from October 29 but he asked for a couple of days’ time because he had a bad throat. The council then banned him from acting in films for a year on the ground that he had not produced a doctor’s certificate.

“My reasons are genuine but they no longer believe me,” said Mr. Vijay. “I could have understood the move if I had refused to dub. I personally don’t want the producer of Yuga or Narayan to suffer.”

The ban is creating ripples in the industry. Puneet Raj Kumar, actor and son of the late Raj Kumar, said on the controversy: “I’m totally against this ban. He’s a youngster who has worked hard for his success. I don’t know what transpired between the two but I feel this will be settled amicably.”

Producer Sa. Ra. Govindu felt that Mr. Vijay, by not respecting the council’s order had brought it upon himself. The imbroglio is now taking a political colour with Congress leader D.K. Shiva Kumar openly supporting the actor. As for the latter, he was on the verge of signing a couple of films, but he is staring at uncertainty with the imposition of the ban. Mr. Narayan was not available for comment.

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