The countdown for the release of the first dubbed film since 1962 — from Hindi to Kannada — has begun, with the Dharwad bench of the High Court of Karnataka directing the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner to enable the release of Naanu Nanna Preeti . The movie is dubbed from the Hindi film My Husband’s Wife .
In view of the continued opposition to the release of dubbed films, Darshan Enterprises, producers of Naanu Nanna Preeti , had filed a writ petition in the High Court of Karnataka, Dharwad Bench, seeking security for the release of the film.
In its interim order, the court directed the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner that “appropriate action be taken to maintain law and order for enabling the petitioner to release the film”.
Meanwhile, G. Krishnamurthy of Darshan Enterprises is preparing to release the film on a “big scale”, subject to availability of screens. “I am planning to release it in at least 100 screens across the State. The film got certification on June 6,” he said. Incidentally, Mr. Krishnamurthy is the secretary of the Karnataka Dubbing Film Chamber of Commerce.
Meanwhile, arguing that the release of a dubbed film is a serious setback for the Kannada film industry and it will open the floodgates for release of dubbed films and tele-serials, Umesh Banakar, vice-president, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), said: “Now, the ball is in the audience’s court.”
Krishne Gowda, president of KDFCC, said the interest of Kannada entertainment industry will be protected by asking producers to enlist services of dubbing artistes, studios, musicians and others.
Even as the film is set to release, an appeal has been filed by film organisations in the Competition Appellate Tribunal questioning the earlier order of Competition Commission of India clearing the decks for dubbed films. It is to come up for hearing on July 5.
