In December, Patel had alleged thatRCB officer K Nagaraj had demanded lakhs of rupees for issuing a certificate for Satyananda.
Madan Patel, flamboyant actor, director and producer, has done it again. Patel has repeated his allegation that Regional Censor Board (RCB) officer K Nagaraj is expecting Rs5 lakh from him for giving a clean chit to his controversial flick Swami Satyananda, the script of which is said to be based on the life of self-styled godman Swami Nityananda.
In December, Patel had alleged that Nagaraj had demanded lakhs of rupees for issuing a certificate for Satyananda. Nagaraj denied Patel’s allegations and even threatened to file a defamation case against him.
With RCB’s examining committee refusing to issue a certificate for Satyananda, Patel is now planning to appeal to the Censor Board’s revision committee. Claiming that his stand against Nagaraj stands vindicated, Patel said money had changed hands to issue a certificate for Kannada film Dandupalya in which Pooja Gandhi had played a key role.
“All of us know the quality of Dandupalya. It glorifies violence and has obscene scenes. How come Nagaraj issued a certificate for Dandupalya? I think Nagaraj might have got lakhs of rupees for issuing certificate for Dandupalya. This vindicates my stance against him,’’ Patel said.
Coming down heavily on RCB for not issuing certificate to Satyananda, Patel said: “I want to organise a screening of both the films—Satyananda and Dandupalya. I am sure that Satyananda is 200 per cent better than Dandupalya. Will Nagaraj and his colleagues take up this as challenge? I am also ready for a public debate on this issue.’’
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) executive committee members had advised Patel not to make baseless complaints against the RCB officer. While Nagaraj appreciated the KFCC move, Patel said vested interests are advising him not to complain against RCB.
“I can not expect justice from KFCC president KV Chandrasekhar since his brother Dhananjay represents Swami Nityanayanda in the court. I am applying to the revising committee. RCB, Hyderabad, issued certificate for a song sequence of the film’s Telugu version. What has made RCB Bangalore to be different? Why are Nagaraj and his associates concerned about Swami Nityananda? I have doubts on their integrity,’’ Patel said.
He also blamed KFCC treasurer Sa Ra Govindu for not helping a Kannada film get a certificate from RCCB. “I have high regards for Govindu who is known for fighting the cause of Kannada language. But he issued me a letter in English. I do not know who dictated it to him,’’ he said.
Denying Patel’s allegations, Chandrasekhar said he did not favour Swami Nityananda since his brother was the latter’s advocate. “My brother is discharging his professional duty. It is not fair for Patel to attribute it as a reason for KFCC not coming to his rescue. My brother will represent Patel in a case if he pays the fee,’’ Chandrasekhar said.
Nagaraj termed Patel’s allegations as a publicity gimmick. “Patel is known for his publicity gimmicks. He has been repeating those allegations made in December. I am not the only one who watches a film and issue a certificate. The five-member committee gave its 18-page report explaining why Satyananda should not be issued a certificate,’’ Nagaraj said.
“Most Kannadigas are aware of Patel. I may file a defamation case against him. Since Patel appealed to the revision committee, it would be better for him to get a certificate from it, ‘’ he added.
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