HDK asks for Kannada films truce

Bangalore (UNI): Karanatka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who himself is a cinema Producer, has agreed to intervene to put an end to the crisis in Kannada cinema industry which is reeling under the 'dubbing' controversy, but asked the fighting groups within the industry to put an end to their squabbles. The Karnataka Film Artists, Workers and Technicians Federation and the Producers are at the loggerheads over dubbing, remakes in Kannada cinema and matters relating to remuneration of cine workers. The members of the Federation led by well known actor Ashok have refused to work in the films of certain producers, bringing to a virtual halt the production of Kannada films.

Speaking at the Sunfeast Udaya TV Awards Ceremony, organised by the Sun TV network here last night, he asked the warring groups to unite. He also told the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to act and bring a amicable settlement. Kannada cinema was already in doldrums with just two of the 60 films released so far this year being successful, while the remaining proved utter flops. The industry was now eagerly expecting the newly appointed Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting M H Ambareesh to find a settlement formula.

"The industry which was in trouble two decades ago made a turnaround mainly due to the efforts of doyen of Kannada cinema late Rajkumar. All the stakeholdrs should now come together and put the industry back on rails to give solace to the soul of Dr Rajkumar," he added. KFCC President Tallam Nanjundashetty announced in the same programme that a joint meeting to be presided over by Mr Kumaraswamy would be held on November 15 to defuse the prevailing tension in the industry. Meanwhile, Sunfeast Udaya TV Award for life time achievement was conferred on noted film actor Vishnuvardhan and Tara.