In view of the 77th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana beginning tomorrow, govt requests cinema operators to screen Kannada movies only

If you are planning to watch a Hindi, English or a non-Kannada flick this weekend, it may pay to check with cinema operators before venturing out. With the 77th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana beginning today, the state government has requested cinemas and multiplexes to screen only Kannada films. But till late evening, operators of multiplexes insisted that there has been no shift from their regular screenings.


In full swing: The 77th All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana will be
held at National College Grounds from 4th to 7th February.
Pic/Ramesh HS

"We have requested theatres to screen Kannada movies for the next three days till the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana concludes. If they don't comply, we can't force them. We have also requested the cinema fraternity to attend the Sammelana and not to shoot any movie for one day today," said Basanth
Kumar Patil, President, Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce.

Operators speak
Operators of some multiplexes in the city say that they have not received any such request. Anup, Associate VP of Fun Cinemas said, "We have not got any intimation and will be screening movies as per our schedule, which includes other language films and Kannada as well."

However, some operators stated that since Friday is the day for movies to change, there are possibilities that other language movies will be shelved and the Kannada-only request could be enforced by Kannada activists.

Auto rickshaw unions have promised to ferry anyone going to the Sammelana at no extra cost. "All rickshaws will fly the Kannada flag and books related to Sahitya Sammelana will be available in the vehicles for passengers to read," said Manjunath, President, Adarsha Auto Drivers Association.

Traffic jams
Over 50,000 people are expected to participate in the procession, which will begin at 9.30 am from N R Square and is expected to take three hours to reach National College Grounds in Basavanagudi, where it will end.

Traffic on these and adjoining roads is expected to be chaotic and motorists are advised to take alternative roads to reach their destinations.