Karnataka - Bangalore

Speak unitedly, film industry told

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister asks distributors, producers and exhibitors to bury the hatchet

TRIBUTE TO THESPIAN: Parvathamma Rajkumar breaks down in front of her late husband Rajkumar's bust at Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce building, in Bangalore on Friday. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy (left), KFCC president H.D.Gangaraj, Sa. Ra. G ovindu, and actors Jayanti and Tara try to console her. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said on Friday that the Kannada film industry should stop "speaking in several voices" as it came in the way of resolving problems dogging the field.

The Chief Minister, who inaugurated the renovated building of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and unveiled a bust of late actor Rajkumar on its premises, said in recent months the film industry was in the news for wrong reasons.

"Coming from this industry myself, it is unfortunate that the producers, distributors and exhibitors are unable to sink their differences and allow Kannada cinema to grow,' he said. He urged the industry representatives to unite and approach the problem in a holistic way. "The Government will talk to all of you, and we can surely solve any problem."

Mr. Kumaraswamy reminded the film fraternity that when they had come to him with the menace of video piracy, the Government had immediately decided to book the culprits under the Goonda Act. Already, contraband video CDs and DVDs estimated at Rs. 3 crore had been seized, he said. Congratulating the chambers on its new building and welcoming the new set of office-bearers who were soon to take charge, Mr. Kumaraswamy said he would join in any effort to realise the dreams of the late Rajkumar without whom Kannada cinema seemed colourless.

Parvathamma Rajkumar, KFCC president D. Gangaraju, and actors Vishnuvardhan, Tara, B.Saroja Devi and Jayanti were present.

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