The delegation comprising Ramesh Aravind, Shivaram, Ashalatha, Joe Simon, Jai Jagadeesh and others explained to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) V S D’ Souza how pirated CDs of latest Kannada films were being sold in Mysore City.
Mysore has of late, gained dubious distinction as hub of manufacturing fake CDs. The pirated CDs are being sent to Kollegal, Mangalore and Tumkur from here.
Vishnuvardhan said the Kannada film industry had been badly hit by pirated CDs.
Thousands of technicians and others were depending on this industry.
Already, the film industry was finding problems to face stiff competition from Tamil and Telugu films. While producers invested crores of rupees on films, the pirated CDs of those films were being sold on footpath for as less as Rs 30. In that case, who would come to cinema halls, he questioned.
The veteran actor said those who indulged in this business should be arrested under the Goonda Act. “People should also stop watching pirated CDs and go to cinema halls with their entire family to enjoy Kannada movies,” he added.
D’Souza promised that the police department would make honest efforts to curb the menace of fake CDs in the City.