BANGALORE: The Tamil Nadu (TN) film fraternity has decided to hold a protest fast tomorrow against the ban on Tamil films and the damage inflicted to theatres that were screening Tamil films in Karnataka.
All screening of films in TN will stop as will all film- related work for one day.
TN chief minister K Karunannidhi’s recent remarks over the controversial Hogenakkal water works project last Sunday caused the Kannada activists to ban the screening of Tamil films in theaters on Monday.
The activists had also called for a blackout of Tamil channel transmissions in the state, finally provoking the TN film fraternity to launch a protest against the ban.
Aditionally, the Kannada film fraternity has also called for a one day fast at Bangalore’s Town Hall tomorrow in support of the Karnataka government’s stand on the issue.
Though all film production and associated work will be stopped, theaters will be allowed to screen movies.
During his speech, Karunnanidhi had warned Karnataka against putting hurdles in the Hogenakkal water project stating that he was running out of his patience now.
This made the fuming Kannada activists accuse the Tamil Nadu government of lobbying with the center to implement the controversial project, though the matter is under dispute. The activists have also accused the UPA government at the center of repeatedly ignoring the interests of Karnataka state.
However,during a meeting between the activists and representatives of the cable operators in Karnataka yesterday, the cable operators convinced the Kannada groups that blocking Tamil transmissions was not in the interests of ‘peace and harmony in the state’. Hence now Tamil transmissions will continue in the state.
Furthermore, as per reports in certain sections of the media, The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC) has suspended all the of members of the Kannada film industry for failing to protect cinemas screening Tamil films in Karnataka.
The ban will stand until things return to normal in Karnataka. Reportedly, the action has the backing from SIFCC members from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.
“This is a unilateral decision taken by the SIFCC president KRG. We have no communication from the SIFCC about any suspension till now, though it has been reported in Tamil papers from Bangalore as well as on Tamil channels,” said a source in the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC).
“The SIFCC represents the four southern states. As per the bylaws, the SIFCC president cannot take a decision to suspend anyone on his own,” informed the source.
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