The indefinite hunger strike launched by a few Kannada film producers, demanding that actors should not appear on television shows, took a new turn on Tuesday with Musuri Jayasimha, spokesperson for the producers, taking ill. He has been on fast for two days.
Two other producers, Krishnanand Pandit and Nandihal, are also on indefinite fast.
Attempts by film industry leaders, including Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) president Thomas D’Souza and MLC Jayamala, to sort out the issue have gone in vain as the agitating producers are in no mood to soften their stand.
At the same time, upset with the “treatment meted out” to its president Ambarish, the KFAA is not ready for any negotiation.
According to the secretary of KFAA, Rockline Venkatesh, producers raised slogans against Mr. Ambarish when the talks between artists and producers failed on Sunday.
Meanwhile, producers have called for a bandh of the film industry on Thursday. Although one section of producers is claiming that “all film production activities would come to a grinding halt on June 18,” the ground realities indicate that the bandh will not make any impact.
It will not have any impact on film screening as issues with the exhibitors sorted out said Gurudutt Musuri another protesting producer.
The Kannada Film Producers’ Association appears to have no clear stand on the issue. President Munirathna said, “We are committed to any stand taken by the KFCC. However, I am meeting Mr. Ambarish on Wednesday to sort out the issue.”
We are trying our best to bridge the gap between artists and producers
Thomas D’Souza,KFCC president
We will work if producers want to shoot
Ashok,president, Kannada
Film Workers’, Artists’,
and Technicians’ Federation
