JOIN USSatyadev IPS, dubbed into Kannada from Tamil and slated for release across the state, ran into rough weather on Friday.
Sporadic protests against dubbing prevented its screening. For decades, the Kannada film industry has resisted dubbing, but recent judicial verdicts have overruled the informal ban.
Producers of the dubbed version and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, a pro-dubbing film body, attributed the “no-show” to technical problems.
The film stars Ajith and is titled Yennai Arindhaal in Tamil. The film was not released in Bengaluru, while screening was cancelled in Hubballi and Davanagere because of protests and poor audience response. Krishne Gowda, chairman of the pro-dubbing chamber, said the film was screened successfully in 16 theatres across the state.
“Twenty more theatres will start screening the movie from Sunday,’’ he said, adding the film would hit screens in Bengaluru on March 10. G Krishnamurthy, producer of the dubbed version, said the movie had collected about Rs 4,000 for the morning show.
“Some vested interests are spreading rumours that violence erupted at a few theatres. Owners of some theatres tore off the posters as they wanted to screen other movies,” he said, adding he had spent Rs 45 lakh on replacing the Tamil dialogue with Kannada.
“We wanted to release Satyadev IPS in at least one theatre in every district to know the audience reaction to dubbing,” he said.
Satyadev IPS is the second film dubbed into Kannada after the ban was overruled. The first, Nanu Nanna Preethi, was dubbed from Hindi and released in October 2016.
Krishnamurthy said Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) president Sa Ra Govindu was behind the protests.
Govindu refused to comment, saying KFCC was already facing a case before the Competition Commission of India. “Commenting at this point would amount to contempt of court,” he said.
Rally on March 11
Leaders of some Kannada organisations in Bengaluru demonstrated against the release. Kannada Chalavali Paksha president Vatal Nagaraj demanded senior actors come out and protest.
“We have called a meeting to discuss dubbing on March 6, and will take out a rally on March 11,” he said.
Kannada stars’ role
“Kannada industry stars should stop giving dates to producers of films in other languages. We should stop importing heroines, musicians and artistes. Collective efforts should be made to prevent dubbing, which Dr Rajkumar had opposed,” said Munirathna Naidu, president, Kannada Film Producers’ Association.