A large section of the Kannada film industry on Monday took out a rally and held a protest meeting to express its opposition to the dubbing of other language films and television serials into Kannada.
The day’s protest, although held in the core area of Bangalore, went off peacefully, with Kannada organisations conveying a message that dubbing will not be allowed at the cost of the State’s language. Cinemas were shut and film industry-related activities suspended for a large part of the day.
Film stars, including Shivarajkumar, Ravichandran, Sudeep, Darshan, Yash, Jaggesh, Shashi Kumar, Pooja Gandhi, Radhika Pandit, Leelavathi, Prem, and Shruti, television artistes, and leaders of Kannada organisations condemned the “eagerness” of a section of the film industry to usher in dubbing in the Kannada entertainment industry. Besides the threat to the State’s language and culture, dubbing would affect the livelihood of thousands of artistes and workers depending on the entertainment industry, they observed.
Shows cancelled
According to sources in the film industry, theatres in and around the Majestic area cancelled the morning show and shooting activity was affected to a great extent.
Film personalities, who addressed the gathering, repeatedly recalled the contribution of Rajkumar towards protecting the Kannada language and culture and his opposition to the dubbing culture.
Kannada Okkoota convener and activist Vatal Nagaraj said the difference of opinion with Jnanpith Award winner Chandrashekar Kambar on the issue had been sorted out.
Music composer Hamsalekha urged Baragur Ramachandrappa, who heads the committee on framing a cultural policy, to study the issue and recommend that the government bring in suitable legislation. Shivarajkumar appealed to the people to protect the language and culture of the land.
