'Dubbed movies don't have local flavour'

No thanks

While all the neighbouring states have accepted dubbing with open arms, namma industry is quite firm about its decision. The people associated with the industry opine that Sandalwood has emerged stronger after this rule. But the debate is still on about whether the ban on dubbed movies, serials and other programmes should be lifted or not. 

K V Chandrashekar, the president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, says that the ban was imposed long back with the support of Dr Rajkumar and other artistes.

“Over the years, Sandalwood has developed as a full-fledged industry with a strong chain of producers, directors, artistes, technicians and other workers. The entire system will collapse if we allow dubbing,” he reasons. Producer Rockline Venkatesh agrees and says the ban has been imposed keeping the welfare of the crew members in mind.

“Dubbing is not at all helpful to the industry. All those who depend on the industry for their livelihood will lose their jobs,” he says with concern.

But many movie-buffs feel dubbing has isolated Kannada from other languages. “Today, science channels, like Discovery, are telecasting their programmes in all regional languages except Kannada. Kannadigas are deprived of watching these programmes due to the ban. If dubbing is allowed in Karnataka, children can watch programmes on cartoon channels in Kannada and stay connected to their mother tongue,” says Amith, a professional.

He adds that many of his friends prefer to watch Tamil and Telugu channels during weekends as they telecast dubbed English movies.

“It is difficult for a small industry like Kannada to make a movie of international standards. The least they can do is make provisions to help people watch international movies in Kannada. Otherwise, people will tune in to other channels,” he says. It’s not just a matter of the growth of a language but also the culture and nativity of the State, observes K V Chandrashekar.

“Movies should be made according to the nativity and taste of the audience. The culture of any other state or country is entirely different from ours and dubbed movies fail to give that local flavour. Moreover, there is no lip-synching in dubbed movies, which diverts the attention of the audience,”he says.

Prakash, a media student, says dubbing has restricted the variety of films and programmes available to Kannadigas.

“I had watched Tamil movies, Dalapathi and Ghajini, without knowing the language. Both were brilliant in terms of the quality of acting and technical aspects. But without subtitles or dubbing, I couldn’t appreciate them better. If we make provisions for dubbing, it will help in the growth of the entertainment sector. Though there is no ban on dubbing in the neighbouring states, there is a continuous boom in their entertainment sector,” he informs.

“The industry is facing tough competition from films of other languages. If it lifts the ban on dubbing, it will be very difficult for Kannada movies to survive in the market,” says Rockline Venkatesh. While Chandrashekar adds, “The Telugu industry has been flooded with dubbed movies for the last few years. Now that it has been affected by the dubbing culture, it is planning to ban it. The Government of Andhra  Pradesh has made a proposal to increase the entertainment tax on dubbed movies from 20 to 50 per cent as it feels dubbed movies pose a threat to the original films,” he informs.

Looks like the dream of avid television and movie-buffs to see TV programmes and films of other languages in Kannada won’t be coming true anytime soon.