The Hindu : Karnataka News : Committee to end film industry row

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 28, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka

Committee to end film industry row

By Our Special Correspondent

BANGALORE, SEPT. 27. The newly elected President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), H.D. Gangaraj, and other office-bearers called on the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, on Monday.

They were reported to have discussed possible ways to solve the crisis in the Kannada film industry and the ban on new films in other languages for seven weeks from their release in their respective States.

Mr. Gangaraj said a committee, headed by former chamber president and film producer S. Ramesh had been formed to work out a solution acceptable to both sides. The solution was likely to be announced by Saturday. Mr. Gangaraj was of the view that the ban on new releases of other languages was not practical and would not solve the underlying problems of the Kannada film industry.

The Chief Minister reportedly said that the Government was serious about helping the film industry and expressed the hope that the Ramesh committee would come out with a practical solution that would benefit all sections of the industry.

Industry split

Meanwhile, a split in the ranks of the film industry was reported with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors' Association deciding to go ahead with the screening of new releases of non-Kannada films all over north Karnataka from October 1. They decided to defy the ban on non-Kannada movies because theatre owners are facing huge losses, according to the association president, R.R. Odugoudar.

On Sunday, Mr. Gangaraj called on veteran actor Rajkumar along with KFCC vice-president S.R. Govindu.

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