20 Kannada films with quality tag to receive Rs. 10 Lakh subsidy each

Subsidies for Kannada films were introduced in 1968 when the industry moved from Madras to Bangalore. The concept of government subsidy for films with 'quality' tag was introduced to encourage creative filmmaking, to improve the quality of the product and of course to bail out the debtors. But today, that has become a norm and even a commercially successful film is eligible for subsidy as far as it meets the desired criteria! In Karnataka, the government is annually distributing Rs. 2 crore to 20 films. So each qualified film will get Rs. 10 lakhs subsidy. There are demands for Rs. 5 lakhs subsidy for 'all' films but the government has not accepted that. Though the total collection of entertainment tax in Karnataka every year is around 10 to 12 Crores, less than 20% of it is being used for film subsidy.

M.S. Sathyu

The list of films entitled for subsidy for the year 2002 - 03 is announced by the government appointed committee that had M.S. Sathyu, Vasanth Mokashi, Bhaskar Rao. Prema Karanth and Lakkappa Gowda as members. There were a total of 78 films applied for subsidy.

Mouni, Prema, Parva, Chandu, Bangalore Bundh, Olave, Balagalittu Olage Baa, Wrong Number, Tavarige Baa Thangi, Kambala Halli, Karmugilu and Shree Manjunatha are the films selected by the committee while the remaining eight films were the State Award winners, which are eligible for subsidy by default. They are Dweepa, Ekangi, Gandada Gombe, Artha, Kshama, Lali Haadu, Sainika, Singaravva.

Some publications are misleading by adding 'Kalarava' in the subsidy list while this film is not entitled for subsidy!