Kannada producers protest against film chamber

Bangalore, Aug 11 (IANS) More than 30 Kannada film producers Tuesday demonstrated in front of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), saying theatre owners and distributors give preference to movies in other languages.

They alleged that the distributors of non-Kannada films were pulling strings to expand screening opportunities for their big budget films - at the cost of Kannada film producers.

A recent example is Allu Arvind's big budget Telugu film "Magadheera" that has been released in more theatres than permitted by KFCC.

"Big budget Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films are being released in more theatres than what has been prescribed by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce. This has resulted in more revenues for non-Kannada films. On the other hand, Kannada films are not getting good theatres in the major centres of the city," S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, well-known Kannada film producer and director, told IANS.

According to KFCC rules, non-Kannada films can be screened simultaneously in 14 single screen theatres and three multiplexes in Bangalore and four other centres in the state.

"In the first stage, 'Magadheera' was released in 30 theatres in the state. And now the distributor of the film has released it in more theatres outside Bangalore which has really affected the collections of Kannada films," said Joe Simon, secretary of the Kannada film producers association.

Incidentally, "Magadheera", which stars Ram Charan Teja, son of superstar Chiranjeevi, is being distributed by Vijayakumar who is also the secretary of KFCC.

"Magadheera" is expected to rake in over Rs.3 crore in just two weeks of its screening in the state and has the potential to reach the Rs.5 crore mark. It has affected the collections of some good films like "Male Barali Manju Irali".

Now distributors are gearing up for the release of Tamil film "Kandasamy" starring Vikram and Shriya Saran. Made at a budget of Rs.60 crore, the film is releasing Aug 21.