Though disputes over titles are not new to the Kannada film industry, the latest one at the door of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) is in the spotlight because it involves two leading actors – Shivarajkumar and Sudeep.
It all began when two producers Raghunath and Tarun Shivappa decided to get the title – The Leader – for their films. Mr. Raghunath got the title registered three years ago. Recently, he announced that Milana Prakash is directing The Leader starring Sudeep.
Meanwhile, Mr. Shivappa applied for the title The Leader — Shivarajkumar . The film is being directed by Swaraj Sahana, he announced. Shooting would commence in January with Shivarajkumar in the lead.
That was when Mr. Raghunath objected to Mr. Shivappa using the title The Leader. Also, he had announced the title before it was cleared by the Titles Registration Committee of KFCC.
Mr. Shivappa asked why the title could not be cleared if Mass Leader , registered by producer-writer Ajay Kumar, could be cleared by the committee. He says that his film has no connection with The Leader being launched by Mr. Raghunath.
According to sources in KFCC, the issue is likely to be settled with Mr. Shivappa opting for Mass Leader and applying for the transfer of the title from Mr. Ajay Kumar. BOX
Sudeep’s film titles and controversies
Interestingly, titles of Sudeep’s films invariably land in controversy. Ranna , a film to be directed by Nanda Kishore, faced problems as someone else had the right over the title. However, according to sources, the producer succeeded in getting the rights.
His Vishnuvardhana also kicked much heat and dust with the family of late actor Vishnuvardhan objecting to the use of his name as a film title. But producer Dwarakish and his son finally got the title by prefixing “Only” to the title .
