If the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has its way, Kannada films with English titles and tag lines will have to forgo government subsidy, tax benefit and awards. The authority has urged the Chief Minister to issue a notification to this effect.
Besides subsidy of ₹10 lakh each, the government is offering 100% entertainment tax benefits to 125 Kannada films every year. Films that receive State awards get additional benefits.
KDA chairman S.G. Siddaramaiah has termed the trend of Kannada films having English titles as “anti-Kannada”. He has appealed to the government against extending them any kind of concession, including subsidy.
Tamil Nadu example
According to S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, chairman, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, the Tamil Nadu government in 2010 refused to waive entertainment tax to films with non-Tamil titles. “The Rajinikant-starrer Robot became Enthiran because of this decision,” he said.
Previous chairpersons of the KDA, ‘Mukhyamantri’ Chandru and L. Hanumanthaiah, had also lobbied with the government on this matter. They had even appealed to the Title Registration Committee (TRC) of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) against clearing films with English titles.
Noting that the Kannada film industry produces more than 180 films a year, KFCC vice-president Umesh Banakar said the TRC consistently appeals to producers to use Kannada titles. “Thanks to these efforts, of the 500 titles registered since January this year, only 10% have English titles and tag lines,” he said.
However, this appeal is being seen as an infringement on the film-makers’ freedom of expression. “Having an English title does not mean the director is anti-Kannada,” said one film-maker. According to another, it is no more than a passing trend against which strictures need not be passed.
So far, the government has not responded to the KDA’s recommendation.
When titles are more catchy than content
Of late, film titles in the Kannada industry appear to be drawing more eyeballs than their content or box office success. They have even become a subject of discussion in the State legislature.
Film-makers are unanimous in saying that giving fascinating titles is among the many unconventional strategies adopted to draw the audience’s attention. Directors are of the opinion that coming up with a good title is connected to the art of film-making, graphic design and linguistics, and many are least bothered about language and linguistic character. According to them, the more attractive the title, the greater the opening of the film. In other words, distributors will show interest in the rights of films with catchy titled.
Hence, it should not come as a surprise that claims over catchy titles have created animosity among actors. Producers often approach the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to resolve such disputes. Recently, claims over the title Leader resulted in a rift between fans of Shivarajkumar and Sudeep.
Some of the catchy titles in recent years are A Day in the City, Flop, Q, Melody, Rebel, Luv U Alia, Dove, Plus, Boxer, The Plan, Contract Toss, Paaru Wife of Devadas, Sapanonki Rani, and Love is Poison.
In most cases, there will be no relation between the title and the content of the film. At one point, Upendra set a trend by naming his films with symbols ( Ssssh , Om , A , Swastik , H2O , Super) .
However, some innovative film-makers have come up with imaginative titles such as Godi Bannaa Sadharana Maikattu , Ondu Motteya Kathe , Ulidavaru Kandante , Lakshminarayanara Prapanchave Bere , Ardha Satya , Rama Rama Re , and Sarkari.
Meanwhile, Hiriya Prathamika Shale Koduge Ramanna Rai , Avane Srimannarayana , Illi Saala Doreyuvudilla , and Kannadakkai Ondannu Otti are setting another trend of ‘catchy’ titles.
