We are familiar with seeing hero or heroine attempting suicide out of frustration in films. But have you ever come across a hero enacting a suicide drama in real life, that too from atop a theatre where his film is being screened?
Harishraj, an upcoming artiste-cum-director in Sandalwood, did just that.
The reason?
“No encouragement for upcoming artistes in Sandalwood,” says Harish who acted and directed Gun, which was taken off the screens a few months ago.
Newcomers—heroes, heroines, directors or even producers—come to Gandhinagar, the hub of Kannada film activities, expecting to become the next Golden Star Ganesh and Real Star Upendra, and ‘Dhuniya’ fame Vijay, who graduated as stars from non-entities.
Expecting similar success, many even pay director or producer to act in their films. While a few films complete shooting, others end up in cans or are withdrawn as soon as they hit silver screen. “Most producers are from real estate sector. Their aim is to make quick money. They do not have basic knowledge about cinema,” says S V Rajendra Singh Babu, former president, Kannada Film Directors’ Association.
There are occasions when upcoming artistes are compelled to resort to dharna to ensure screening of their films. Priya Hasan, a four-film-old director-heroine, had to stage dharna in front of Sapna theatre in Bangalore twice to ensure screening of her films—‘Jambada Hudugi’ (2010) and ‘Bindaas Hudugi’ (2011).
And it’s not just actors. Inspired by the success of ‘Mungaaru Maley’ producer E Krishnappa, many real estate businessmen try to make films but end up bankrupt. Murali, a businessman from Hosakote, invested over Rs 2 crore to make ‘Gun’, only to withdraw it within a week and re-release it after a two-week gap.
Finally, Murali had to bid goodbye to Gandhinagar after filing a criminal complaint against Harishraj. The climax: Harishraj escaped the arrest by flashing an anticipatory bail.
Recently, director-producer Ravindra P Das succeeded in creating hype but failed to impress the audience with his ‘I am Sorry Mathe Banni Preethsona’. The movie hit the screen on June 17, but plummeting box-office collections forced Das to appeal exhibitors through media to stop the screening.
“A few producers and distributors are indulging in backstabbing activities,” he says. Will Das handle megaphone again? “It depends on the space available for newcomers,” he signs off.
