Entire Kannada film industry to join Mysuru Dasara celebrations

Bengaluru: With the countdown to the grand Mysuru Dasara festivities underway, the entire Kannada film industry is set to participate in this year’s celebrations. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce announced the plans at a press conference. Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Jayamala said the entire Kannada film industry, including actors and other artistes, would participate in the Dasara celebrations this year.

“This is the first time such a celebration is being held. The film industry’s journey over the years will be showcased on LED screens. Two buses will also be arranged. There will be no film shooting for two days. Rockline Venkatesh has been entrusted with these responsibilities, while the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce will make all the arrangements,” she said. Jayamala thanked Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on behalf of the entire Kannada film industry for inviting the industry to be part of the Dasara celebrations.

This year marks the 416th Dasara. An Ambari bus will be arranged for artistes, while seating arrangements will be made for 150 artistes inside the palace to view the celebrations. Arrangements will also be made for artistes to sit in front of the palace, while enhanced security measures will be put in place for their safety. Around 15 lakh people are expected to attend the festivities, with the police maintaining tight security to prevent any untoward incidents.

Veteran film personality Sa Ra Govindu said the film festival, which had been held for the past 45 years, would not be conducted this year. Instead, the industry had suggested that financial assistance be provided to artistes. He also said there was a desire to have veteran actor Anant Nag inaugurate the Dasara and that discussions would be held in the coming days. Rockline Venkatesh said the film industry had received a special invitation to participate in the Dasara celebrations and that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had invited everyone from the industry to attend. “President Jayamala is personally calling and inviting actors, actresses, directors and producers. This year, Dasara will be a festive celebration for the film industry as well. The film industry has never received this kind of importance in the past. The government has given greater importance to the film industry,” he said.

Responding to the perception that there is no unity in the Kannada film industry, Venkatesh said, “That is not the case. We are all united. Sandalwood stars will come together as part of the Dasara celebrations. Senior and junior artistes from the industry will be present on the same platform.” He also thanked the Chief Minister for giving the Kannada film industry an opportunity to be part of the celebrations. Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Jayamala, Kannada Film Producers Association president M.G. Ramamurthy, Kannada activist and former Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president Sa Ra Govindu, senior producer Rockline Venkatesh, Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president B.M. Harish, vice-presidents Sundar Raj and K. Manju, secretary A. Ganesh and veteran actor Doddanna were among those present at the press conference.

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The Hans India