<p class="bodytext">The arrest of the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regional officer K Prashant Kumar by CBI on the charge of bribery to issue the censor certificate to a filmmaker has left the Kannada producers appalled. </p>.<p class="bodytext">About 140 Kannada films are yet to be censored before the year ends. November 15 was the last date to apply for the year. Many producers will be in a dire state if their films are not censored before the deadline. The censor certificates require the signature of the CBFC regional officer to be released. </p>.Censor board official arrested by CBI for taking Rs 12,000 bribe to clear Kannada film.<p class="bodytext">The films released this year will get a subsidy from the state government in the following year. But if there is a delay and the films get pushed to the next year, the producers will only be able to receive the subsidy in 2025. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Many producers borrow loans to fund their films. The government’s subsidy helps them pay off the loans to a great extent. A delay in receiving the subsidy will force them to pay the interest on the loans for a longer time or face harassment from financiers. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has written to the CBFC, Mumbai, for an alternative arrangement. “We haven’t received any response yet. They’re not receiving any calls,” said Suresh N M, president of KFCC.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This is the first time a censor board regional officer has been arrested and they are still grappling with the consequences the producers may have to face. The government should have the responsibility to give a solution immediately, he opined. “I will also write to the state government to extend the subsidy period if needed,” he said. </p>.<p class="bodytext">“As the president of the Chamber, it’s my responsibility to safeguard the producers and make sure their films are released as planned,” Suresh added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">He is also of the opinion that it would be a great loss for the Kannada industry which is already grappling with many issues. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Well-known film producer Rockline Venkatesh whose film ‘Kaatera’, starring Darshan, is slated for release this month, said that the CBFC should appoint an officer or come up with a solution immediately. “I cannot let go of my release date,” he said.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The arrest of the Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC) regional officer K Prashant Kumar by CBI on the charge of bribery to issue the censor certificate to a filmmaker has left the Kannada producers appalled. </p>.<p class="bodytext">About 140 Kannada films are yet to be censored before the year ends. November 15 was the last date to apply for the year. Many producers will be in a dire state if their films are not censored before the deadline. The censor certificates require the signature of the CBFC regional officer to be released. </p>.Censor board official arrested by CBI for taking Rs 12,000 bribe to clear Kannada film.<p class="bodytext">The films released this year will get a subsidy from the state government in the following year. But if there is a delay and the films get pushed to the next year, the producers will only be able to receive the subsidy in 2025. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Many producers borrow loans to fund their films. The government’s subsidy helps them pay off the loans to a great extent. A delay in receiving the subsidy will force them to pay the interest on the loans for a longer time or face harassment from financiers. </p>.<p class="bodytext">The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has written to the CBFC, Mumbai, for an alternative arrangement. “We haven’t received any response yet. They’re not receiving any calls,” said Suresh N M, president of KFCC.</p>.<p class="bodytext">This is the first time a censor board regional officer has been arrested and they are still grappling with the consequences the producers may have to face. The government should have the responsibility to give a solution immediately, he opined. “I will also write to the state government to extend the subsidy period if needed,” he said. </p>.<p class="bodytext">“As the president of the Chamber, it’s my responsibility to safeguard the producers and make sure their films are released as planned,” Suresh added. </p>.<p class="bodytext">He is also of the opinion that it would be a great loss for the Kannada industry which is already grappling with many issues. </p>.<p class="bodytext">Well-known film producer Rockline Venkatesh whose film ‘Kaatera’, starring Darshan, is slated for release this month, said that the CBFC should appoint an officer or come up with a solution immediately. “I cannot let go of my release date,” he said.</p>
