Looks like the film chamber has to more or less act like a court, solving issues of actors, producers and directors, almost on a daily basis. The latest is the film, 'Gowri Putra', directed by Manjunath M Maskal Matti who has filed a complain with the Producers' Association against two actresses, Nikitha Thukral and Niveditha, alleging that they are not cooperating in the promotions of the film, which is due for release. He has also gone on a protest today to get the notice of the chamber.
“The film, which was started in February this year is complete and is up for release after censor giving an U certificate. At such a juncture, Nikitha and Niveditha are refusing to attend the promotional activities citing various reasons,” says Manjunath, who had no other choice but to take the help of the Chamber.
“I feel I have been taken for granted because I am basically a farmer and just got into films out of passion. My first mistake was I did not sign an agreement before I started the film.
That’s why I am not able to get a hold on them,” he asserts.
Manjunath feels that his movie will get promoted only by going to the Chamber. “Let people consider it as a publicity gimmick. But I have to talk about my film as the actresses are reluctant to do the publicity,” he said.
In spite of having settled the payments with both the heroines, they are not doing their job, he says.
“Being the heroine of the film, it is Nikitha's responsibility to promote the film. After having settled her amount, she is now saying that she can’t make it, as she is busy shooting in Chennai and will be going abroad in a couple of days. On the other hand, Niveditha is giving negative publicity by saying that 'Gowri Putra' is a remake, which is not the case as I have made lot of changes in the subject and screenplay” he adds.
Niveditha in her version says that she has a long list of reasons for not attending the promotions, which she will discuss with the Chamber.
On further prodding, the actress said, “The director has not cleared my payment, which according to him has been paid on a daily basis. I am 15 movies old. If I have not accepted payment on daily basis even for my first film, why should I go for daily payment for my 16th movie? Secondly, he did not invite me for the audio release nor did he allow me to dub for the film. He had promised that he will give equal publicity to all the heroines in the film. But now I see that Nikitha has taken a lot of space in the posters and we are just sidelined. And to top it all, the film is more or less a remake of a Tamil film, 'Raman Thediya Seethai'. But he wants me to lie to the whole town that the film is not a remake. Manjunath has not honoured my words. So, I will not promote the film. I will put my complaints to the Chamber. Let them decide.”
Nikitha Thukral says, “Instead of informing the artistes about the promotions, Manjunath has straight away headed to the Chamber to complain against us. My manager was in constant touch with the director, who explained him that I was in Chennai for shooting and later I will be leaving abroad for a month. He expects us to fly down with just one phone call when I gave my schedule sometime ago.
"I have also explained to Rockline Venkatesh when he called me about the issue. When I could promote films like Gun, why not this film. Just that he thinks about everything in the last minute.”