JOIN USJanata theatres to be set up in the state will screen Kannada art films along with commercial flicks, said Karnataka Chalanchitra Academy (KCA) Chairman S V Rajendra Singh Babu on Saturday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony organised by KCA to felicitate the winners of 64th National Film Awards, Babu said, “At present, Kannada movies that have won national and international acclaim are being screened at Chamundeshwari Studio in Bengaluru. Steps will be taken to ensure they reach the public in other districts of our state.”
National film awardee Nikhil Manju said that art films were putting Karnataka on the global map and play a pivotal role in showcasing Kannada culture, history and language. But, he added that theatres were not coming forward to screen art films and producers were not willing into invest in such ventures.
“It is, however, a proud moment for us that out of 125 films selected for the 64th National Film Awards, around 60 were Kannada movies.”
Actor Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, who was felicitated on the occasion, said that her late husband Vishnuvardhan should have got the Padma Shri and not her.
She added, “I accepted the Padma Shri award as he is with me even now.”