Restrict release of non-Kannada films, says HDK 
Last Updated IST
JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy
JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy, who is also a film producer, said that the Kannada film industry should unite to “restrict” the release of non-Kannada films in the state.
Addressing the media here on Monday, Kumaraswamy said that the “nexus” between multiplexes and other language filmmakers should be broken.
Stating that he would write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard, he sought a comprehensive policy to resolve the issue. He said the onslaught of other language films in Karnataka had taken a toll on Kannada film producers, distributors and exhibitors.
He said that 150 films each in Telugu and Tamil are released annually.
In addition to these, Malayalam, Hindi and English films are also released simultaneously, making it difficult for 120-odd Kannada films to survive.
While the rents in theatres were high, multiplexes had completely sidelined Kannada films. Kumaraswamy said that earlier there was a restriction on the number of non-Kannada films that could be released in the state. But now, there was no such restriction.
“This is our land and water. But we have become third-rate citizens, the others have emerged as first-class citizens. It is imperative to save our language and our films,” he said.
Noting that he had no vested interest in raising the issue, Kumaraswamy, referring to his son’s film Jaguar (which he has produced), said screening of films that are making a good earning should not be discontinued after a week’s time.
He said that the Kannada film industry had been hit because of the emergence of reality shows.
Making an indirect reference to actor Sudeep, he said since big stars were booked for reality shows like ‘Big Boss,’ producers were finding it difficult to get their call sheets.
Addressing the media here on Monday, Kumaraswamy said that the “nexus” between multiplexes and other language filmmakers should be broken.
Stating that he would write to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this regard, he sought a comprehensive policy to resolve the issue. He said the onslaught of other language films in Karnataka had taken a toll on Kannada film producers, distributors and exhibitors.
He said that 150 films each in Telugu and Tamil are released annually.
In addition to these, Malayalam, Hindi and English films are also released simultaneously, making it difficult for 120-odd Kannada films to survive.
While the rents in theatres were high, multiplexes had completely sidelined Kannada films. Kumaraswamy said that earlier there was a restriction on the number of non-Kannada films that could be released in the state. But now, there was no such restriction.
“This is our land and water. But we have become third-rate citizens, the others have emerged as first-class citizens. It is imperative to save our language and our films,” he said.
Noting that he had no vested interest in raising the issue, Kumaraswamy, referring to his son’s film Jaguar (which he has produced), said screening of films that are making a good earning should not be discontinued after a week’s time.
He said that the Kannada film industry had been hit because of the emergence of reality shows.
Making an indirect reference to actor Sudeep, he said since big stars were booked for reality shows like ‘Big Boss,’ producers were finding it difficult to get their call sheets.