Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jun 4: Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy on Thursday June 4 felicitated 'Chaali Polilu' film producer Prakash Pandeshwar and film director Veerendra Shetty Kavoor for the record run of 'Chaali Polilu' which ran in theatres for more than 200 days for the first time in the history of Tulu film industry.

After receiving the felicitation, Prakash Pandeshwar, producer of the film, said, "The credit for our success goes to the people of Tulunadu who supported the movie."

He further said, "Film theatres demand more money to screen Tulu movie as compared to Kannada movies. Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy should think about this and take suitable measures to correct this."

Director of the movie, Veerendra Shetty Kavoor, said, "The credit for the success of the film goes to the entire film crew. The biggest factor behind the success of the movie was the audience who watched the film repeatedly and ensured that it ran successfully for 217 days in theatres."

He thanked film producer Prakash Pandeshwar and DK Working Journalist Association president Jaganath Shetty Bala on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, T A Shrinivas, film producer and distributer, said, "When the film is made giving importance to viewers and the language, it will succeed. Films should never be made with a profit motive. After each film is released, give sometime for the film to run before releasing new films. Film producers should seriously think on this because the target audience for Tulu films is limited. It should not happen that producers blame the industry for their failure."

He also suggestedhaving a regional Tulu Film Chamber of Commerce for the efficient functioning of the industry.

"The producers should make good qualitative movies in Tulu and live up to expectations of the people," he added.

Dr Richard Castelino, film director and producer said, "The target audience for Tulu films is approximately about two lac. Hence a huge investment into a Tulu film is very difficult."

"'Bangar Patler' attracted the highest viewers whereas in collection 'Chaali Polilu' earned the most profit in the entire Tulu film industry. The producers should have unity," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, actor Shivadwaj Shetty said, "Tulu film industry is heading forward in the right direction. Producers have certain responsibility while releasing a film. Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy should form 'information centre' for the production of films which will be helpful while making a film. The Academy should collect all films of Tulu industry and their rights."

Actor Devdas Kapikad, producer Kishore D Shetty, Naveen D Padil also spoke on the occasion.

M Janaki Bhramavar president of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy presided.

Actor Surendra Bantwal, Jaganath Shetty Bala, Dhand film producer Shodhan Prasad, Mohan Kopala Kadri, and others were present.