With Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) acting tough on Kannada Film Dancers Association, headed by Rajesh Brahmavar, there is grief in the Sandalwood air. As a result, about 740 dancers, who have decided to go their own way, disowning their association with Karnataka Cinema Workers Federation (KCWF), are in dire straits.
At a meeting held on Tuesday with B Vijaykumar, president of KFCC along with various association heads including Ashok, head of KCWF and Rajesh joining the meeting, it was announced that the film chamber will not recognise existing dancers' union and it will request Ashok of KCWF to take charge and form a dancers association.
Indiscipline rife
“The decision was important to streamline the association. The association headed by Rajesh Brahmavar does not act like a union. More or less he behaves like a dictator and takes decisions without consulting any one when it comes to matters concerning dancers and masters of the union. He doesn’t have the patience to sit down with the federation or the chamber and come to a conclusion.
“Right now, we have a total of 21 unions who are facing several issues. But they abide by the rules and regulations of the chamber.
Sadly, we have heard nothing good about Rajesh from the time he has taken charge of the dancers association. While the federations conclude with one formula, Rajesh tends to set a different rule. Today the industry is running because the producers are investing money and they have the last say. Just because a few producers have not paid on time, Rajesh should not set rules and tell producers to make full payment and then hire the dancers,” Vijaykumar said.
According to Vijaykumar, since Rajesh is an elected member, he can’t be suspended and while the federation and the chamber are working together for a smooth functioning, it would be in best interest of all to hand over the concerned responsibility to Ashok of KCWF. “We are disassociating ourselves with the dancers union headed by Rajesh Brahmavar. We are taking this decision so that we don’t further damage the image of the Kannada film industry,” said Vijaykumar.
Issues on the floor
* The dancers union is not ready to recognise dance master Tribhuvan from Chennai, though he is most sought after by directors and he was the one who started the dancers' union in Sandalwood. But since he is from Chennai, the union is not willing to provide him with the membership card. Though he got a ‘no objection’ certificate from Chennai Dancers Association, the union here is not ready to honour it.
* As per the existing policy formulated by All India Film Employees Federation, 50 per cent of dancers must be from the local industry. But later during the meeting it was agreed to change the ratio to 70:30. But the dancers union have decided to adhere to the former.
* Producers of Kannada industry have complained against Rajesh Brahmavar because the union has been demanding full payment in advance before the dancers start shooting.
* Dancers have been left clueless about whom to approach with their troubles.
Will protest: Rajesh Brahmavar
Rajesh Brahmavar does not seem to let go without a fight. He says, “We are ready to join the federation again, but the dancers are being told to disassociate with me. However, they are on my side,” he says.
Another issue is that Rajesh and his team of dancers does not accept Tribhuvan, a dance master from
Chennai, to be worthy to get the ‘membership card’, which entitles the holder to several benefits. “It is his will to work in the industry but the association is not ready to accept him,” said Rajesh.
Rajesh, now, plans to soon protest. He and his team are meeting various artistes to gather support. “We are getting support from stars of the industry. We met Raghavendra Rajkumar and will be meeting Ambareesh and Sudeep too. As they are not ready to hire available dancers, we may hold a 24-hour protest soon,” he said.