The Legislative Council on Tuesday witnessed an extensive discussion on various issues plaguing the ₹500-crore Kannada film industry. Actor and BJP member Tara Anuradha presented a graphic picture of the plight of the Kannada film industry due to technological advancement in recent years and sought government support in finding a permanent solution to the issues.
House leader Jaimala, who is also a prominent actor, promised on behalf of the government to bring the issues to the notice of Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is a producer and distributor of films.
Cutting across party lines, House members enthusiastically participated in the debate and offered suggestions to help promote and support the Kannada film industry.
Replying to concerns expressed by Ms. Anuradha and other members, Ms. Jaimala admitted that despite the government implementing a Kannada film policy, a few concerns were yet to be addressed and the new coalition government would make every attempt to breathe life into the ailing eight-decade-old industry.
Lingering problems
Ms. Anuradha said the Kannada film industry, which is producing an average of 200 films a year, was experiencing great problems. Though successive governments have come to the rescue of the industry, several issues have remained unattended to.
Comparing the Kannada industry with the country’s film industry, Ms. Anuradha said that though over 200 films were being made a year, the success rate was only about 5%. Citing problems being faced by the production sector, including digital distribution chains UFO Movies and QUBE, increasing theatre rent structure, absence of single-window system for shooting, which is in vogue in the neighbouring States, tax burden on producers and the impact of GST, and exorbitant ticket rates at multiplexes, she alleged that the government had not taken these issues seriously enough.
“Film City, which is a long-pending demand, is yet to be realised. The government failed in developing a Film City on the vast land allocated in Hesaraghatta. The previous Congress government announced its plan of developing a Film City in Mysuru. Now the present coalition government has announced it will be shifted to Ramanagaram. When and where will we have a Film City finally?” she asked.
She also did not mince words while questioning the commitment of the government towards implementing the Janata Theatres initiative across Karnataka, where priority is expected to be accorded to screening low-budget Kannada films. She urged the government to reserve the closed Mysore Lamps Industry and Minerva Mills premises for shooting Kannada films.
During the hour-long debate, Ms. Jaimala and Minister for Social Welfare Priyank Kharge said the government’s move to cap ticket prices at multiplexes was being challenged by the Multiplex Association of India in the Supreme Court. Despite this, there is a cap on ticket prices, she said.