Bengaluru, March 01: Urging the Kannada film industry to demonstrate commitment for the language, water, culture and land of Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar today said he was angry and unhappy about lack of support from the film fraternity for Mekedatu padayatra.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival on the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha, he said, “I am unhappy and angry about Kannada film fraternity for not backing our fight for Mekedatu. The film industry must demonstrate commitment to the language, water and culture of the land.”
“Mekedatu padayatra was to get drinking water for Bengaluru. It was a fight for the interest of the state. In spite of the Covid, Siddaramaiah and I took out a 150 km padayatra. No one from the film industry, with the exception of a few, turned up to show their support in spite of us extending invitations to all. I am angry about it,” he said.
“Very few from the film industry association made it. Among the actors, only Sadhu Kokila and Duniya Vijay participated. Some use and throw the actors, but we are not like that. We made Sadhu Kokila the Chairman of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. It is important that we honour those who stand by us during tough times. What good are those who don’t support during tough times,” he added.
Film festival for the film industry
“This film festival is not a private event of some politicians and some actors. It is a programme for the entire industry, yet only a few actors have participated. Why should the government conduct the film festival if the actors, directors, producers and exhibitors are not interested? Treat it as an appeal or as a caution, but the film fraternity must attend such events in the future,” he said.
I have connection to the industry
“I was also an exhibitor, used to run a theatre named after Indira Gandhi. Owned four touring talkies, but they are not functional now. We have 23 screens in our malls, but I haven’t seen even a single movie in them. In my younger days, I had watched the movie Satya Harishchandra 15 times. Many of the politicians have tried to get their children to politics using movies as stepping stones. Some have succeeded and some have failed. Our very own Jayalalitha and Rajnikanth have grown to become super stars in other states,” he reminisced.
IIFA in Bengaluru
“A team held meeting with me to conduct the next IIFA awards in Bengaluru. Will discuss this with the CM after another round of meeting with the organisers. Kannada film industry has gone global in the last few years, congratulations to all those who made it possible,” he noted.
“The CM is determined to set up film city in Mysuru. The proposal which was submitted regarding this has been rejected. We will discuss after the budget and set up an international standard film city in Mysuru,” he added.
