The Hindu Business Line : Non-Kannada films: Industry wants legislation on three-week moratorium

The Chief Minister, Mr N. Dharam Singh, receiving the memorandum from Kannada actor Rajkumar during the agitation in front of Vidhan Soudha in Bangalore on Thursday. — V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Bangalore , Nov. 25

NOTED Kannada film star Dr Rajkumar led a dharna today in front of the Vidhana Soudha demanding legalisation of the three-week moratorium on the release of new non-Kannada films in the State.

The Chief Minister, Mr Dharam Singh, met the protestors and assured them that the matter would be placed before the Cabinet. He assured them the matter would be solved amicably minus the emotional angle of the problem. There is no doubt that the Government is committed to the interest of the State and its culture, he said.

Dr Rajkumar, addressing the crowd, clarified that the Kannada film industry was not against any other language but, "Kannada should be given its due place in the State," he said, adding that the agitation would continue till the demands were met. Apart from actors, there were directors, producers and technicians representing the industry. All film-related activities were closed for the day.

It may be recalled that some theatres in the State are continuing to the screen the Hindi film Veer Zaara, saying that obstructing screening of the film will amount to contempt of court. The release of the film, according to them, was in accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court.

On Wednesday, the exhibitors proposed a one-week moratorium and six prints (against the present demand of three weeks and six prints) for release of other language films. But the proposal was turned down by the industry.

Mr Tallam N. Nanjundashetty, who heads the Karnataka Film Exhibitors' Association (a newly formed forum of exhibitors), said that the Kannada film industry is not in a position to supply prints of new movies to all the 1,200 theatres in the State.

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