MLA for Mandya Ravi Kumar Ganiga on Sunday defended Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s warning to the Kannada film fraternity for their failure to turn up for the 16th edition of Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes).
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Mr. Ganiga said there was nothing wrong with Mr. Shivakumar’s statement that the “nuts and bolts” of the personalities in the Kannada film industry should be tightened.
He said film actors approach the Ministers and the government seeking subsidies for their films but fail to show any concern for the water, language, and land issues of the State.
He questioned the reason behind the contempt shown by the film fraternity for the BIFFes organised by the State government on the steps of Vidhana Soudha. “When an invitation had been honorably sent to them, why didn’t they turn up?”, he questioned.
“When a senior actor like Mr. Shivarajkumar could attend the event despite recently undergoing surgery for cancer, what could have possibly prevented others?”, asked Mr. Ganiga.
He said the actors reject awards given by the State government but queue up to receive awards from the Hindi film industry.
He pointed out that yesteryear actors like the late Dr. Rajkumar, Mr. Ambarish, and Mr. Vishnuvardhan would attend events like Rajyothsava Day celebrations and command the adulation of the people. “Except for Mr. Darshan, how many other film actors have attended Rajyothsava Day functions?”, he asked.
“If attending such programmes organised by the State government was left to your discretion, watching your movies was also left to our discretion,” said Mr. Ganiga.
Published – March 02, 2025 07:26 pm IST