The issue of government subsidy for Kannada films has taken an ugly turn, with some film producers ganging up against the selection committee - especially noted directors Girish Kasaravalli and Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar, who they alleged were ‘acting like dictators.’

The main grouse of the producers is that though the government allows the extension of subsidy to 32 Kannada movies, only 26 movies were selected for subsidy. “They have selected Kada Beladingalu, in which Girish Kasaravalli's daughter has acted and Besi, which is based on homosexuality,” charged the group headed by Dhanaraj.

Producers who aired their grievance include Bama Harish, Umesh Banagar, R Dhanaraj, Krishne Gowda, Umesh and Omprakash, who urged  Governor Mr Rameshwar Thakur to intervene and render justice to the other six movies, which were deprived of government subsidy.

Even a children's movie like Putani agents A to Z was not selected for subsidy. Some officials in the State Information Department are involved, they alleged.
 The producers also warned that they would resort to agitation if the Governor did not respond.