The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Non-Kannada film producers enthused by decision on tax

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Friday, Aug 08, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Non-Kannada film producers enthused by decision on tax

K.N. Venkatasubba Rao

It has made them plan films in Kannada

Producers who hoped to remake films are now
a worried lot
There is opposition to the decision on tax concession

Bangalore: With the State Government announcing 100 per cent tax concession for films of other languages remade in Kannada, several Chennai and Hyderabad-based producers have reportedly decided to reproduce their successful Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam films in Kannada, instead of selling the remake rights.

The decision of producers from other States is said to have been prompted by various sops, besides the 100 per cent tax concession, extended by the Government, and other benefits prescribed in the draft of the Comprehensive Policy on Kannada Cinema, which is likely to be finalised shortly.

This move of the non-Kannada producers has left remake film producers, who had been hoping to make a rich harvest by obtaining the remake rights of super hit non-Kannada films, worried. On the other hand, a section of the remake lobby that has already purchased the remake rights of successful films produced in other languages is busy making preparations for new launches, according to sources in the Kannada cinema industry.

Following the comments against extending the tax concession for remake films on a par with the original Kannada films, the Government made a statement in the Legislative Council that it would “re-examine” the issue. But, it issued an order on August 1 making all remake films in Kannada eligible for 100 per cent tax concession, with immediate effect.

Interestingly, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce is also reportedly divided over the issue.

MLCs such as playwright and film-maker Chandrashekhar Kambar, lyricist Doddarange Gowda, M.C. Nanaiah and Y.S.V. Datta said: “extending 100 per cent tax concession to remake films amounts to killing original talent in Kannada. The remake lobby has been misleading the Government and public. Extending any sops to it would deprive the State of its honour at the national and international levels.”

Clarifying its stand on extending 100 per cent tax concession, in its draft on the Comprehensive Policy of Kannada Cinema, the Government stated that remake films produced in Kannada 10 years after obtaining their first censor certificate were eligible for total tax concession.

The draft policy also makes it clear that the Kannada version of non- Kannada films that have bagged the best feature film awards instituted by the respective States, national honours and those focussing on pressing social issues are also eligible for the tax concession.

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