Badami House, the heritage stone structure opposite the BBMP, which has been a hub for film-related activities for the past four decades, will lose its connect with cinema soon.
For, the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) will shift from this location to the Amrutotsava Bhavan in Nandini Layout, which is nearing completion.
Minister for Information Roshan Baig and senior officials of the department, along with KCA Chairperson S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu, reviewed the progress of the construction work on May 4.
Mr. Babu told The Hindu that the KCA has to vacate the venue in the next three months because of legal hassles. Hence, a decision was taken to shift the academy to Amrutotsava Bhavan. “The ground floor will be handed over to the Information Department shortly and following that, the KCA will occupy the place,” he said.
There is a plan to convert the huge crater next to the building into an amphitheatre. The academy plans to use the ground floor for housing a library and film museum, besides the administrative wing.
Centre for film activities
Badami House has been the centre for the film industry and enthusiasts. The Priyadarshini auditorium housed there screens award-winning films and holds mini-film festivals, seminars, and programmes related to the industry.
This imposing structure started attracting every section of the society, after the academy launched Belli Hejje, where veterans of Kannada film industry got a platform to share their experience with the audience. With the government organising the Bengaluru International Film Festival and Karnataka International Children Film Festival, the Badami House became a beehive of activities.
