Idu Kannadavanne Kottubiduva Samayava?

Like how Cauvery Water issue is discussed tomorrow by two state leaders – Karnataka chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Dr Jayalalithaa Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu – in the similar way across the table the pro and anti dubbing discussion has to take place.

Eventually it is convincing with facts and figures are what should happen. The time frame fixed for explanation from Kannada cinema industry by CCI is December 4. A strong and convincing reply is required now.

One of the biggest blows for the Kannada cinema industry and television industry has come from Competition Commission of India, New Delhi that is questioning why ‘Dubbing’ is not allowed in the state. According to sources the CCI in its thousands of pages report has questioned elaborately on the strictures passed on dubbing into Kannada from various languages.

It is believed that ‘Pralaya’ is scheduled to take place on 21st December 2012. For Kannada cinema industry and Television industry the ‘Pralaya’ has come in the number of pages from the Competition Commission of India questioning the ‘Dubbing’. Dubbing will be a sure shot ‘Pralaya’ for big and small screen in Karnataka.

A copy of CCI has been served to Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, Kannada Film Directors Association, Kannada Film Producers Association, Karnataka Cine Workers Federation and Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy.

To give a bird eye view of the situation – in 2011 – 13526 films (celluloid films, video films and digital films) were censored by the Central Board Film Certification of India. Out of 13526 the films censored from Bangalore it is just 159. That means to say 13467 films are non Kannada.

In the given situation of allowing dubbing the bright chances of all the 13467 films getting dubbed to Kannada language is not ruled out. At least 50 percent of it is dubbed it is a closure of the entire Kannada cinema industry.

How to bring a slow closure to the Kannada cinema industry and Television industry? ‘Dubbing’ is the answer in every practical and fundamental rights sense.

Some of the vested interest people in our land have lit the fire and the dubbing banned in Karnataka from other languages was widely appreciated by all the states cinema industry bigwigs. From a movement in 1960 the giants of Karnataka have banned ‘Dubbing’ quoting various pertinent reasons. Many attempts have been made to bring ‘Dubbing’ to Karnataka from the backdoor. As the ego is building up in some of the people the situation is turning worse it seems.

“There cannot be any bar on dubbing as there is no mention of dubbing either in the Karnataka Entertainment Tax Act-1958 or Karnataka Cinema Regulation Act-1964.”

Now the scene is different. Even stopping ‘Dubbing’ could be questioned in the court of law as fundamental right.

WHAT HAS TO BE DONE

The time is for reaction in a brilliant way collecting facts and figures. Emotional outburst, hit backs and commotions do not lead to any solution is the first thing one has to understand. All Kannada activists who are up in arms already should have a patient thinking. The ‘Think Tank’ is essential at this point of time.

What this ‘Think Tank’ should do? If dubbing is allowed in Television industry of Karnataka and Kannada cinema industry what is the damage it is going to cause should be ascertained.

All the major Indian languages popular television serials could be dubbed now. With the advent of dubbing 52 television serials produced in Kannada would have a slow gate pass.

According to one estimate 50 popular television serials are there in major Indian languages the dubbed version of it is possible in Kannada. The main reason is the strong economic background of Karnataka and concentration of people of all languages would count a lot. Secondly for the advertisers Karnataka is a big pocket to generate revenue. A Bengali television serial made would get attention for his production in Karnataka means it is added revenue for his television serial.

The non Kannada television serials dubbed to Kannada and telecast might be a strong pinch in the beginning. In the later years non Kannada television serials would gobble the entire Kannada television serial makers, artists and technicians. It would leave only a job for ‘Dubbing’ artists.

That means to say thousands of people attached to television industry from Karnataka would go jobless. In turn the turnover of small screen that is 500 crores – three times bigger than the big screen would go to the hands of operators from New Delhi, Mumbai, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odissa, Kerala and other states that produces popular soap operas.

COMING TO CINEMA INDUSTRY

It is agreed that no one can question the constitution. In an industry like Kannada cinema that caters to only to Karnataka the influx of non Kannada films would show way out for the Kannada films.

Nearly 100 films are produced on an average. The scope for bigwigs that too on the basis of star power would remain in the beginning years – later it is a gate pass to such super stars films as it becomes weak in the eyes of lavish films and technically high standards of non Kannada films.

Nearly 5000 cinema workers are living because of Kannada cinema industry. In places of 100 films 10 films are made annually in Kannada what is the fate of those people?

The situation of Kannada cinema industry is entirely different from non Kannada cinema industry is a fact everyone should agree.  The fate of actors, technicians, dubbing studios, shooting floors, locations, studio houses and so many are left jobless.

WHAT INJECTION WE HAVE TO GIVE NICELY

·         First of all it is important to ascertain the manpower that is losing jobs in the wake of dubbing.

·         In the case of man power it has to be divided as artists, workers, technicians etc.

·         There are no alternative jobs for such people are a fact that should be brought to the notice. What can an art director or cameraman or makeup artist etc have to do?

·         Secondly the financial loss that Cinema and Television industry collectively losing from the wake of dubbing should be ascertained.

·         With case studies the culture of different parts of the country that is not put in to practice and followed should be ascertained.

·         Such case studies would obviously make the pro dubbing people to know how it culturally affects from all languages culture shown to the people.

·         A culture is killed the state will be in devastation.