If the latest controversy surrounding Madan Patel alias Mahachathura is any indication, it seems the artiste-cum-producer-cumhero- cum-politician is set to focus on Tamil and Telugu films than Kannada.
The reason: the number of hassles Patel had faced to promote his latest film Satyananda. Patel, who had acted in films such as Mahachatura, Andhra Hendathi, Ok Saar Ok, etc. considers that hurdles are too many and no one had realised his contribution for Sandalwood.
Patel, who had handled megaphone for Heegoo Unte, a film based on young girls’s problems at garments factories, claims that he played a key role in increasing the number of Kannada films for subsidy.
“What I got for all my service is no cooperation from Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.
I have not received any reply from Kannada Film Producers’ Association.
When they fail to empathise and sympathise with a person like me, what is the use of their existence?’’ asks peevish Patel.
The jack of all trades questions the veracity of a letter signed by Sa Ra Govindu, Secretary of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.
“I know Govindu as a supporter of Kannada. I do not know whether Govindu knows how to read or write English but he has signed the letter in English,’’ narrates Patel.
It all started when Patel had approached the Regional Censor Board to get a certificate for two songs of Satyananda. It was learnt that K Nagaraja, Regional Officer, Central Board of Film Certification, has demanded Rs 50,000 to certify two songs and Rs 5 lakh for the film.
“I had explained about my problems to Nagaraja but in vain. Instead of helping me, he had issued a notice asking me to produce all documents related to a court case. He had also sent a notice to Swami Nityananda to come with his objections. I do not know how much money he had taken from Nityananda.
I lodged a complaint against Nagaraja with Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce asking them to ensure his transfer since he has been creating problems for Kannada films. However, Govindu had threatened me of disciplinary action instead of extending a helping hand. What kind of justice is this?’’ asks Patel. However, Sa Ra Govindu said that he could not stoop such a low level like Patel for the sake of cheap publicity. “If his comments on me helps his film Satyananda to do good business I have no objection.
Let him to organise four more press meets to criticise me,’’ says Govindu.
Meanwhile, K Nagaraja, Regional Officer, Central Board of Film Certification, has defended his action of issuing a notice to Patel. ‘’His allegations are baseless. I am contemplating a legal action against him for making allegations of corruption against me,’’ says Nagaraja. Now the buzz in Gandhinagar, the hub of Kannada films, is whether Patel will continue making Kannada films or contemplates to focus on Tamil and Telugu films? We have to wait and watch.