Court stays subsidy to
Kannada films of 1997-98

Ever since the Quality Tag Committee (QTC) was constituted by the Karnataka Government for releasing subsidy amount of Rs.10 lakhs for the 20 quality films released during a year, the industry is unhappy as the yardstick applied to determine it is in question. Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court has stayed the order passed by the QTC for the release of the subsidy amount to 20 Kannada films made during the year 1997-98.

Most of the Kannada film producers are discontent about the working of QTC, constituted under the chairmanship of noted composer and stage player BV Karanth. The fear is about the Karnataka Government fixing the limit to 20 films. Secondly, the argument is that the judges who determine the quality are the cinegoers. They feel that a handful of committee members has no rights to pass judgement in a democratic set up.

Noted producer-director-actor V Ravichandran is averse to the decision of the committee since the begining. He is of the opinion that the subsidy for Kannada films should be given on the basis of its performance at the theatres. A film which completes hundred days should deserve the subsidy given by the Karnataka Government, he opines. For others, the government is already giving the 100 percent Entertainment Tax exemption and that encouragement is sufficient to other category of films, argues Ravichandran.

While Karanth strongly argued in the past that the committee cannot be questioned in the court of law, the two producers of Vyuha and Karadipura registered their strong protest for not including their films in the quality list for 1997-98. The highly respected rebel writer D Baraguru Ramachandrappa, the producer of Karadipura made a sensible argument. His contention was when a film like Karadipura with social message could garner international recognition, how home the state rejects it. On what ground the QTC kept aside such strong socially relevant films, he questioned. Baraguru Ramachandrappa had set a deadline for the Information Minister Prof BK Chandrasekhar to take a decision.

Nothing has moved in favour of those protesting against the decisions of QTC. Now, the producer of Janani Janmabhoomi, S Shanker, moved the court as his film has failed to figure in the quality list. Producer Shanker is in the red recently as his film Deepavali bombed at the b-o and had to sell all his properties to cover the huge loans. As Rs.10 lakh is quite a big amount for filmmakers like him, he is equally peeved at not finding his film in the subsidy list.

Meanwhile, Justice Harinath Thillari of Karnataka High Court issued notices to Home Secretary of State, the director of Information and Publicity of Karnataka Government and Quality Tag Committee chairman BV Karanth and asked to clarify on the objections raised in four weeks time. The QTC had selected films like Oh Mallige, Thayi Saheba, America America, Prema Raga Hadu Gelathi, Laali, Innondu Mukha, Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda, Halliyadharenu Shiva, Minuguthare, Balina Dhaari, Madhuve, Mungarina Minchu, Shiva, Ulta Pulta, Kalavida, Thutta Mutta and few others for the subsidy scheme.

KFCC felicitates Dr Rajkumar
On Sunday, December 10 all roads of Bangalore led to National College grounds situated at Basavanagudi. The occasion was a mammoth function organized by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to felicitate the icon of Kannada cinema Dr Rajkumar alongwith SA Govindaraju, Nagesh and Agappa Maradagi who were released by forest brigand Veerappan recently. The Chamber also honored the Karnataka Chief Minister SM Krishna, Home Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge and Information Minister Prof BK Chandrasekhar for their untiring efforts in the release of Rajkumar.

The ground was filled with 30,000 people to witness the felicitation to their ardent star. The local satellite channel Udaya TV aired the programme live for those who couldn’t make it to the venue. Dr Rajkumar turned emotional after seeing the massive crowd. He made a dramatic appearance on stage when he arrived on the dais with the help of a crane from the midst of the crowd and waved and folded his arms continuously for a few minutes. Shivrajkumar and Raghavendra Rajkumar accompanied the thespian to the stage.

“I learned a lot from my stay in the jungle. It has helped me to make an introspection. The whole episode has calmed me. There was no discomfort from Veerappan and he looked after me very well”, said the veteran actor recounting his days in the jungle. “The God is great. He has given me a new lease of life to mingle with my family and Abimani Devaragalu (Dr Rajkumar calls his fans like this)” concluded the actor.

Prabhudeva’s Kannada film
launched with a bang
It was indeed a dazzling start for the dashing hero of Kannada cinema Upendra and the dancing hero of Tamil cinema Prabhudeva. The launch of their untitled Kannada film began in a memorable style and will be remembered as one of the costliest mahurats of Kannada films.

Just for a 30-minute mahurut function at Bangalore Palace grounds, producer Dhanraj spent almost Rs. 25 lakhs. The scion of Mysore Palace, Srikantadatta Wodeyar got down from his car and got seated in a decorated chair. From the opposite side of the Bangalore Palace, came two elephants and a modern orchestra troupe followed reminding us of the Daserra extravaganza. In another chariot came the heroine Priyanka. Soon the horses stood around the place for the mauhurat.

Then began an array of fire works which went on for fifteen minutes continuously. A huge garland was offered to Srikantadatta Wodeyar. Ajasmine flower garland were presented to both Prabhudeva and Upendra who were in a Greek warrior costume. This was a part of the song sequence.

Srikantadatta Wodeyar of Mysore Palace sounded the clapboard and cameraman HC Venu perched on top of the palace canned the shot. The superstar of Kannada cinema Upendra refused to divulge any details about the film. After continuous persistence he disclosed that the title of the film will itself unfold the story of the film. However, he said that a strong message comes through the film. “Wait and watch it on the screen”, Upendra said.

“My role and Prabhudeva’s portion is well balanced. I am not a great dancer and cannot match Prabhudeva. I hope to learn a few steps from Prabhudeva”, added Upendra. A special type of Tap dance with rain effect is a major highlight of the film. The film is expected to be completed in 90 days and will have six songs. It will shot on locations of Rajasthan and Manipur, while for the first time in the histroy of Kannada films, it will shot at exotic locales of Egypt.

Prabhudeva not a stranger to Karnataka spoke in Kannada at the press-meet which was also attended by Upendra and actress Priyanka. “I intend to dub my voice as I am not very well versed with the language”, said the dancing sensation. On his late entry to Kannada films, Prabhudeva blamed non availability of either good roles or story coming his way. Priyanka, who is a newcomer for Kannada films is a Miss Calcutta 1995. This Mumbai bred girl has already worked in a Telugu film with Upendra.

Upendra’s film enters Japan fete
Superstar Upendra is considered the dream factory owner of Kannada cinema and his concern reached dizzy height with three of his films Om and Upendra doing nearly 30 crore business. His last venture in Kannada bearing his own, Upendra, also starring Raveena Tandon, Prema and Dhamini has been selected to participate in the Japanese Film Festival to be held in February next. This is the only film from India to enter the Japan Film Festival. The film will be screened on the Valentine Day at Sapora and Upendra will be reaching Japan for the screening.

Yajamana creates a record
The box office collection of Yajamana starring Vishnuvardhan in a double role has been very consistent and is creating new records. The advertisements given in the print media disclose that the collection has beaten all records so far in Kannada cinema. The film is running in its second week.

K V