Mangalore: 6 Executive Committee members, all producers, quit the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), splitting the state film body vertically. They are Rockline Venkatesh, Sandesh Nagaraj, Sa Ra Govindu, B.N Gangadhar, Ramesh Yadav and Annaji Nagaraj.
The reason? They protested against unilateral decision taken by the President Basant Kumar Patil to close down the film industry from Dec.1.
The protestors raised their voice against dubbing of other languages films into Kannada and for non-availability of movie halls to exhibit Kannada films in City and State. They criticised Patil for his dictatorial decision on Bundh from Dec.1.
They wanted him to consider the view of artistes and other producers of films, before taking the drastic decision just 3 weeks ahead to think over.
Tempers ran high at the late evening meeting called by Patil, as a group asked for his resignation.
The six producers left the meeting after a verbal quarrel with Patil’s group, on Nov. 4.
Rockline Venkatesh led his group out and told reporters waiting, that Patil had no idea over production problems and artistes’ availability. The Bundh could be avoided by negotiations to solve current problems. Several producers and distributors then resigned from KFCC.
Artistes’ Association boss Ambareesh said that the proposed Bundh could solve no problem. Junior artistes and several others could miss their meals if the film industry closes for just one day. Producers invest money and take loans on high interest to complete films, he pointed out.
Venkatesh accused Patil as not a full producer or distributor. His decision was mala fide, as he (Patil) knew nothing of film industry, Rockline spat out. Senior artiste Dwarkish supported R. Venkatesh.