Over 10 Kannada films have hit a roadblock at the Regional Office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Bengaluru, because of the ongoing controversy over muting of dialogues in Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu .
The film directed by Suman Kittur, which is in news for the past few days, is an adaptation of the landmark short story by the late K.P. Poornachandra Tejaswi. Strength of the film lies in narrating the story through the slang and dialect of rural southern Karnataka. Muting of the dialogues with rural vituperations, according to critics and audience, has taken away the “soul” of the film.
The film is about a group of cantankerous women that takes on the mighty force of men. While capturing the indomitable feminine spirit, the film acts as a critique of rural India.
According to sources, committee members could not watch films following demonstration by progressive organisations, including Samata Sainika Dala and Karunada Sene, demanding permission for incorporation of muted dialogues in the film.
When contacted by The Hindu , Natasha D’Souza, Regional Officer of the CBFC, on Friday admitted that there was a backlog of 10 films as she could not leave the office for four days to watch the films at screening centres because of protests outside the CBFC office at Kendriya Sadan in Koramangala here.
“However, by remaining in the office, I have cleared a few trailers and films such as the Hindi version of Kannada film Master Piece for satellite screening,” she said. With Ms. D’Souza agreeing to refer the case to the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai, after receiving a petition from the makers of Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu , screening is expected to resume from Monday.
Referring to allowing a certain portion of a dialogue in the promo and muting the same in the film, Agni Sridhar, scriptwriter, said that he needed an explanation from the regional office. “We will seek no-objection certificate for reincorporating the muted portion of dialogues,” he said.
Ms. Natasha said, “I have followed the guidelines and norms concerned and will not allow modification after issuing the certificate.”
Meanwhile, protesters and film-makers are planning to take legal course in case of not getting “justice” at the CBFC.
Muting the dialogues is nothing but virtually killing the film.
Suman Kittur,director of ‘ Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu’
The CBFC has erred by not allowing the portion of the dialogue that is permitted in the promo.
Sa.Ra. Govindu,president, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce
The promo lasts just for one second; it will not provide full perspective. But that is not the case with the film.
Natasha D’ Souza,Regional Officer CBFC, Bengaluru
