People of Bangarpet town are now being entertained with Kannada movies, thanks to a couple of theatres which have been exhibiting Kannada movies compulsorily for the last few years.

Since the town lies in the border areas of Karnataka, a lot of Telugu and Tamil movies are exhibited, however, there are very Kannada movies on the show. Thus, a kind of anti-Kannada atmosphere had been prevailing in the town.

Till 1982, those were the times when television had not yet invaded the drawing rooms, when people had to consume whatever entertainment was offered in any language.

Rajyotsava
It was only during the Kannada Rajyotsava, that Kannada movies are exhibited for a week’s time. And apart from this, the only other time, when the theatre owners want to exhibit is only when the Kannada movies are a hit and ensure that the box offices are full.

Though there are efforts to ensure that Kannada prevailed in the border regions, unless the efforts received an overall response, all efforts would go in vain.

All the Kannada programmes will not be successful, unless there is audience to appreciate it.

Collection
The theatre owners who are worried about the collection at the box-office, often exhibit movies on public demand. They go by the laws of the market, infact, even today, the same system is prevailing in Kolar Gold Fields also.

In 1982, a very massive rally was organised against the exhibition of non-Kannada movies, which rang the alarm bell for these theatre owners. It was only after this that they began playing Kannada movies.
Also in 1982, One of the most popular theatres of Bangarpet town, Shri Shyam Sundar theatre, which often exhibited non-Kannada movies, became the ire of Kannada supporters.
The public not only held a massive protest at the theatre premises, but also took out a padayatra to Bangalore and submitted a memorandum to the then chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde. It was only after this that Kannada movies were given a display.

Even after this incident, though non-Kannada movies were exhibited, the demand for Kannada movies continued and also it was fulfilled by Shri Shyam Sundar theatre.

At the same time, a new generation of actors, other revolutions in Kannada movies and other plus points brought the crowd back to the theatres. People from all walks of life began flocking theatres once again. And for the last five years, the credit of keeping Kannada and Kannada movies alive, goes to Shri Shyam Sundar theatre.

Needs renovation

Once upon a time, the theatre was the talk of Bangarpet town. It was one of the best and most sought after theatres. However, with the passage of time, today it has lost its sheen and glamour.

It is in need of basic facilities and recovers complete renovation. If the theatre is upgraded and renovated to the modern requirements, then more number of people would flock the halls.

By exhibiting more number of Kannada movies on Kannada Rajyotsava and also by felicitating theatre owners who exhibit more number of Kannada movies, would be the first step towards reviving Kannada in the border regions of the State.