Irrecoverable loss

The loss of icon of Kannada cinema Dr.Rajkumar on April 12 is the irrecoverable loss of the industry and Karnataka state. The death of his brother in February and veterans like Vajramuni and Pattabhirama Reddy has cast a dark shadow on the entire Kannada film industry in the last six months of 2006.

In all 35 Kannada films were released in the last six months. Sudeep is the only winner. His debut direction My Autograph and splendid performance has given him a new position in the industry. The film completed silver jubilee.

The expected films bombed while unexpected clicked at the box office. Films such as Shri, Uppi Daada MBBS, 7 O'clock, Ramya Chaitra Kala, Shubam, Hatavadhi, Ambi, Gopi, Julie, Miss California failed to live up to the expectations. While the films such as Mata, Sevanthi Sevanthi, Honeymoon Express, Thavarina Siri, Datta Chellata, Ajay, Ashoka, Sishya, Suntaragali and Mandya passed through the rough wind and landed the producers in safety.

The debutants debacle was also seen in the first half. Ravi Gharani, Shivaprabhu, Shivaram, Santosh Rai Pathaje did not click. Guruprasad of Mata remained distinct from others. Actress Arathi's debut in children film Mitayi Mane was a sweet experiment. It was good year for newcomers like Ganesh of Chellata and Deepak of Sishya. Pooja Kanwal, Jhanu, Uma, Sridevika, Sanjitha and Nithya got noticed for their performances in debut Kannada film.

The music director of first half of the year is shared between Gurukiran and R.P.Patnayak. Shri, Shubam, Chellata and Mandya were good at the popularity list. RP's Uppi Daada MBBSm Datta and Honeymoon Express were quite ok. Hamsalekha's Thutturi and Thavarina Siri remained different from others. Producer cum music director Ravi Dattatreya of Miss California showed good signs.

Among a very few good news we have the industry personality H.D.Kumaraswamy becoming the chief minister. As the first gift the CM has sanctioned Rs.10 lakhs for additional 10 quality films that was only 20 films a year so far. Vivacious Vishnu became Dr.Vishnuvardhana. Actress Prema, Umashankeri and actor Mithun got married in this first half. Pranayaraja Srinath became MLC. Last year releases Jogi, Amritha Dhaare and Nenapirali, Anna Thangi recorded good collection.

The first half controversy was dominated by Jayamala. She touched the feet of Lord Ayyappa 20 years ago and this has kicked up a row. Prem and Rakshita marriage was unnecessarily dragged to controversy. Discontent Indrajith Lankesh lashed at the government bureaucracy for spelling father's name wrongly in the two award money cheques. KFCC election is another muddle in the last six months.

The list of films released from January to June 2006 - Mandya, O Priyathama, Shri, Mitayi Mane, Veeru, Bharathi, Uppi Daada MBBS, 7 O'clock, Mata, My Autograph, Ramya Chaitra Kala, Sishya, Gopi, Hettavara Kanasu, Ashoka, Nidhi, Shubam, Naga, Sevanthi Sevanthi, Chellata, Ambi, Kote Chennaiah, Ajay, Belli Betta, Thutturi, Julie, Thavarina Siri, Miss California, Datta, Honeymoon Express, Goodluck, Thirupathi.