The release of Satyadev IPS , an Ajit starrer, dubbed from Tamil to Kannada, appears doubtful in Bengaluru city, with Kannada organisations and Kannada cine artistes threatening to launch a protest. However, the release is expected on Friday, as scheduled, in about 60 screens in other parts of Karnataka.
“Since the exhibitors in Bengaluru backed out at the last minute, we are not able to release it here. But it will hit screens in other cities,” said G. Krishne Gowda, president of Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KAFCC), a pro-dubbing body formed a year ago. They are also weighing legal options, considering that the Competition Commission of India, a quasi-judicial body, had cleared all legal hurdles for allowing dubbing of other language films into Kannada.
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj, who has been in the forefront of the movement against dubbing, has convened a meeting of various Kannada organisations on May 4 to chalk out a course of action, if the dubbed film hits screens. Kannada organisations have also called for a bandh of Kannada cinema on March 11. M.S. Ramesh, president, Kannada Film Directors’ Association, has appealed to the Kannada film fraternity to come out and oppose the entry of dubbed films. Kannada star Shivarajkumar said that he and his family members have been opposing dubbing consistently and there is no change in their stand. In fact, Kannada icon Dr. Rajkumar was in the forefront of the movement, he added.
Actor Jaggesh told The Hindu , “Some vested interests have compromised with the core interest of Kannada cinema at the cost of thousands of workers, who are eking out a living from cinema and television. We will not allow dubbed cinema.”
Kannada film bodies, including Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Kannada Film Producers’ Associaton (KFPA) and Karnataka Television Association (KTA) are keeping silent over the issue, as the CCI had held them responsible for preventing the release of dubbed films and television serials in Karnataka. They refused to comment on the development when contacted.
