Omkara breaks ground in film industry tussle

The three-week long tussle between the film exhibitors and Kannada film producers reached "middle ground" with the release of a new Kannada movie Omkara on Sunday in several theatres in the state.

The Karnataka Film Exhibitors Federation has agreed to screening of new Kannada films across the state, following mediation by film star-turned-MP Ambarish.

Federation president R R Oodugoudar said here that new Kannada films would be allowed to be screened across the state, "but a decision on the seven-week moratorium on non-Kannada movies has not been taken up yet".

Omkara, starring actor Upendra received good response from enthusiastic fans who flocked theatres on the star's birthday.

The Kannada Film Producers Association on Saturday night called off the 'Hubli chalo' march scheduled for Sunday, following assurance from exhibitors that they would release new Kannada movies.

The Kannada film industry led by its icon Rajkumar last month held a protest rally demanding protection for the local film industry from the onslaught of other language movies.

Besides seeking a seven-week moratorium on release of non-Kannada movies, they sought to reimpose the 70 per cent entertainment tax on other language movies.

The exhibitors had protested the move stating that they would be "out of business" and about 68 theatres in Bangalore have downed shutters till a lasting solution is found.

The standoff in Karnataka had forced a Bollywood delegation led by Amitabh Bachchan to seek intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.