The Kannada film industry is staring at one of its biggest internal crises till date. It is not a fresh one and has been brewing for the last few years ever since film stars started hosting television shows and participating in TV shows competitions.
2013 was particularly harsh for exhibitors, distributors and producers with two of the top stars of Sandalwood, Sudeep and Puneeth, hosting TV shows all the seven days of the week for months together. This year, Bigg Boss 2, hosted by Sudeep and Weekend with Ramesh Aravind by Ramesh Aravind, are already on air.
One more show by Ganesh is said to be in the off ing. Expectedly, producers are not enthused and they have taken the issue to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).
Some top producers are trying to convince stars to keep away from television while some exhibitors are threatening to shift to non-Kannada films for their evening shows.
Sources in Sandalwood also say some exhibitors are threatening to cancel evening shows of Kannada films altogether. Former KFCC president and film exhibitor, KV Chandrashekar, said, "Forget growth, sustaining Kannada films in theatres is becoming unviable. Only a few stars command the highest following. And if they are seen on TV day after day, why would people come to theatres?
The bulk of box-office collections happens during weekends and since the shows by celebrities are during weekend, collections have dropped.
Non-Kannada channels are popular only in pockets. So some exhibitors are contemplating shifting to nonKannada films. They too have to be selfish beyond a certain point. The stars are alienating audience from theatres."
Top producer Ba Ma Harish said, "We went to a television channel requesting them to buy the large number of films that have not been taken for satellite television telecast. In turn, the channel people told us to make TV serials with stars. That is how things are. They want to use the popularity of actors, but do not want their films. This should be understood by actors. We are being taken for a ride."
It is not just shows like Bigg Boss and Weekend with Ramesh Aravind that worry producers and exhibitors. Chandrashekar says, "Film-based programmes, including live shows, dance and singing competitions using film content, are hurting box-office collections which on average have dropped 25 per cent in recent weeks. " In North Karnataka, exhibitors are contemplating the extreme step of cancelling evening shows for Kannada films. It's learnt that efforts are on to convince Ganesh, who is said to have given 30 days to a channel for a programme, not to go ahead.
Exhibitor Thomas D'Souza said, "A large number of producers have written letters regarding the issue. I have spoken to Ramesh Aravind and Ganesh and apprised them of our concerns. I am also talking to Sudeep. It is true that we cannot prevent any actor from doing shows on TV. It is their right. But it is also true that shows by big stars on television affects box-office collection of films. We have seen for two years how Kannadada Kotyadhipati affected collections. We are a family and everyone should benefit.
This is not a blame game."
