Bengaluru, Apr 16: The lockdown in the wake ofthe coronavirus pandemic has turned out to be a deeply painful story for the Kannada film industry.
Schedules have gone awry following the stay-at-home curbs and operators in Sandalwood, as the industry is popularly known as, say about 100 films under production are affected.
They include big budget movies- 'Raja Veera Madakari Nayaka', 'Kotigobba 3', 'Robert' and 'Yuvaratna.'
Noted producer Rockline Venkatesh told P T I that the loss to the industry is to the tune of hundreds of crores of rupees.
In addition, it's a challenge for producers to secure the content of their movies from "piracy and leak" during long periods of time before their release, Venkatesh, who is Secretary of Karnataka Cine Artistes' Association, said.
A leading distributor said even after the lockdown is lifted and situation returns to normalcy, it remains a big question if investment in film business will pay off at all.
"People don't have money. We will know the impact when things become normal. Questions many ask if people will return to cinema halls like the way they did before or they prefer to stay away from crowd."
Venkatesh, who had also produced Rajinikanth-starrer 'Lingaa' and co-produced 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' with Salman Khan in the lead role, said it would take at least one to one-and- half years for the industry to be back on its legs.
"That too if the government does hand-holding but if the industry faces a bad hit in terms of income tax and GST and other taxation, 80-90 per cent of the industry will face closure," he said.
"It does not matter if the government does not help the industry but they should not trouble us with things like IT and GST," Venkatesh, who is also a distributor and artiste, said.
A top director said people's "behaviour" towards movies is crucial for the industry's health in the post lockdown scenario.
"With people likely to shy away from going to malls, cinema theatres because of large gatherings there, it's going to be a long road to recovery for us", an industry insider said.
Striking a philosophical tone, Venkatesh said all that people worry now is to save their life and keep good health, adding, amassing money and wealth is the last thing on their mind.
Producers Soorappa Babu and Umesh Banakar, who is also Vice-President of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, told P T I that the industry has taken a huge hit.
Banakar said the loss to the industry due to the lockdown is at least Rs 1,000 crore.
"The coronavirus has affected the entire world. We don't know what to do; we just have to wait," Soorappa Babu, producer of Kiccha Sudeep-starrer 'Kotigobba 3', said.
Comments
Aranab is stinking......good job Zakir Naik Sir!.....he should make this person to sell his underwear to pay this money....
Need of the hour... such a cases should be booked as these (news channels) are deceiving people from knowing the reality .. and misguiding the people from the truth in all the matters.
Zakir naik has no case against him. So why to come india for the dongi cow swami.
If cow swami is arrested who will bark on barking news.
Times now might be called as lie now.
I request income tax dept to kindly check what arnab goswamis total wealth, what he earns & how much is his asset.... i can assure you there will be lot of illegal wealth with him....who sponsored u people very well know
Most of these converted/( they are reverted ) are highly qualified in India.
in West -Europe and US daily people flock into 95% of them are
high highly qualified.
Yes you may disagree with section of sects of Muslims, but it is nothingto do with Islam. Islam itself doesn't allow any forcible conversion. Acceptance should come by their heart and belief.
Please note conversion does not benefit others. The holy quran clearly discourage any compulsion.
In brief Dr. Naik is fully complies islamic propagation
Guidelines
His friends are senior qualified Hindu celebrities
Please come for debate
If media interviews can judge a person and decide then why do we have courts....all bla bla comments from gaaf jale sangheez and porbooz....
So do you accept modiji as killer of Gujarat which was also a media issue....watch on YouTube and enjoy the interview between modi and Karan tappar on CNN IBN....
you dont worth 5 rs frame so wt is there to defame..........notice india aneeko fathat hey cupha huva hey bill mey
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