Tulu Cinema Sidelined at 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival: Director Rajendra Singh Babu Expresses Outrage

Share

Share

Share

Share

Email

Share

Mangaluru : Renowned filmmaker Dr. S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu has raised serious concerns over the systematic exclusion of Tulu language films from the prestigious Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES). Highlighting a disappointing shift, he pointed out that while Tulu films had secured the second and third best film awards during the 16th edition of the festival, the upcoming 17th edition has completely failed to consider any Tulu cinema for the competition category. This neglect comes despite the state government’s standing policy to provide subsidies and awards to encourage regional languages like Tulu, Kodava, and Konkani.

The director specifically cited the rejection of his recent film, ‘Biddada Kambula’, which he had submitted for the competition. The film is deeply rooted in the 700-year-old cultural legacy of ‘Kambala’, the traditional buffalo race of coastal Karnataka. Rajendra Singh Babu noted the irony in this rejection, as the Honorable Chief Minister had recently announced special grants and encouragement for Kambala in the state budget. By disqualifying a film that portrays such a significant cultural heritage, the organizers have effectively ignored the identity and traditions of the Tulu-speaking community.

Expressing his deep disappointment, the veteran director stated that it is a tragedy to feel orphaned within one’s own state. He criticized the festival’s selection committee for providing space to six Malayalam films and four Marathi films while neglecting indigenous regional cinema. At a time when there is a growing movement to include Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and recognize it as the second official language of the state, such exclusion at an international platform hosted by the state is seen as a major setback. Dr. Rajendra Singh Babu has urged the concerned authorities to intervene immediately and rectify this injustice to ensure the Tulu film industry receives its due respect and representation.