Dasmunsi was speaking at the golden jubilee celebration function of Film Federation of India (FFI), which is the apex body of the producers, distributors and exhibition sector in the country, covering not only the Hindi cinema but also regional cinema. On the occasion, several past presidents and the industry’s stalwarts, including Kannada writer M Bhaktavatsala, who headed FFI in 1977-78, were felicitated at the hands of actor Asha Parekh and leading exhibitionist P S Swaminathan.

Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, FFI president Bijoy Khemka, vice-president L Suresh, actor and MP Raj Babbar, music composer Bappi Lahiri, actor Ranjit and other dignitaries were present.

Dasmunsi said he was toying with an idea that sports persons up to 30 years and active art performers up to the age of 40 years should not be heavily taxed. He said he spoke to the union finance minister P Chidambaram on the subject. He said from next year onward, a national award will be instituted for best music composition, and the award money for all categories would be increased five fold.

Bhaktavatsala who was felicitated said the film industry cannot be called an “industry” as it involves tremendous creativity, as a result of which it cannot belong to any trade organisation. He said today, the only face of India that is projected world wide is that of Indian cinema. Bhaktavatsala said during the 50 years history of FFI, it has been steadfastly supported by South Indian cinema, and it is only Bollywood which had some problems with it, having different organisations.

On Kannada cinema, Bhaktavatsala said there is “tremendous resurgence”, which dominates the entire exhibition centres, relegating other languages to multiplexes.  “The Kannda cinema was only remaking films from other languages,” he said. But there is a sudden change now he said, quoting the example of Mungarumale and hoped that this trend would continue.