Sankranti sparks off theatre war in Karnataka

Kannada, Telugu and Tamil film industries are all set to cash in on the Sankranti weekend by releasing their big banner films.

While the audience is spoilt for choice, the Kannada producers are crying fowl over non availability of theatres in their own state.

“In Kannada, we have two releases — Sidlingu and Ko Ko. What has however led to the theatre availability problem is the simultaneous release of Telugu films Businessman and Bodyguard, Tamil films Nanban and Vettai,” says Sidlingu producer Sidraju.

But with the Arbitration Committee of the Film Chamber quickly stepping in, the situation seems to be under control. The Board has ruled that barring Bellary and Raichur districts, other language films can be screened in only 30 centres of the state. In Bangalore, 19 centres will be made available. “This is the first time that the Arbitration Committee has passed a ruling and we are very satisfied with the verdict. It now remains to be seen how distributors of other language films will react to the order. In case they refuse to adhere to the instructions, we will consider taking the legal route,” says Sidraju.

Earlier reports had suggested that Businessman was likely to be released in over 80 cinema halls. What had angered the Kannada producers further was that fact that theatres that are known to show Kannada films were also gearing up to release Businessman. Bangalore’s Ganesh theatre, Basaveshwara theatre in Chitradurga and Bijapur’s Alankar are cases in points.

Says Gautham of Ganesh theatre, “Businessman will bring in more returns when compared to the two Kannada films releasing this week and since everything boils down to business at the end of the day, we have decided to screen the Telugu picture.”  But with the Committee having ruled in the interest of Kannada industry, producers have little to worry. A good Sankranti gift shall we say!