Chitraloka's dub step

Voicing their displeasure against “dubbing” in Kannada films, several pro-Kannada activists including actors, film makers and others staged a protest rally in Bengaluru some time ago.

Many artists including actor-turned-politician Jaggesh, Bullet Prakash, Sadhu Kokila and Challenging Star Darshan and others took part in the rally. Bengaluru Chronicle reports on the recent development over the dubbing issue.

“Allowing the release of dubbed movies is akin to calling someone else the father. When people can directly watch other language movies, then what is the necessity of dubbing?” Darshan said after the rally.

For various reasons and mostly because of the unanimous voice spearheaded by Kannada thespian late Dr Rajkumar, this dubbing controversy has managed to lie dormant for a long time.

In fact, there were no such threats for over 50 years, and now with the change in times and difference of opinion, there have been repeated attempts to refuel the controversy.

A few months ago, a section of the industry made an effort to get a dubbed film Nanu Nanna Preethi released. They were prepared to face strong opposition by approaching the High Court, seeking directions for protection.

Lately, the emergence of Karnataka Dubbed Film Chamber of Commerce (KDFFC) has been acting as an accelerator to push for dubbing in the state. However, the issue died down.

Now, it has risen again with the release of yet another dubbed film. This time, the movie Satyadev IPS, which is dubbed into Kannada from Tamil Yennai Arindhaal, starring Ajith Kumar, that revived the fight and it finally released at a handful  of theatres.

Soon, senior Kannada activists warned of severe consequences. Actor and politician Jaggesh, said that he will set fire to theatres releasing dubbed films and would be prepared to go to jail.

A protest march held in the city recently.

Actor Shivarajkumar also reiterated his stance saying that the Kannada film industry has always opposed dubbing movies to Kannada, and would protest against any such attempt. “The audience should decide and if needed, let there be a vote on this,” he said

Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj has called for a bandh, and to hold a huge rally on May 9 to protest against dubbing. However, Krishnegowda, the producer of the dubbed version of the Tamil film has said that dubbing is not unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, actor, director, and producer Prakash Raj shares a different opinion. In his statement, he said, “My concern is not about whether or not to allow dubbed films. The main question which bothers me is whether the audience is willing to watch dubbed films. By straightaway opposing dubbing, it reflects a colonial mindset. We are certainly not living in such an era, and one must respect the rights of another, and we as actors also need to adhere to such practices of respecting others’ rights. By taking a one-sided decision on who deserves what, is not the right way forward.”

He further went on to explain various aspects, saying that he is neither for or against dubbing but his concern relates to the audience, who should be allowed to decide such issues rather than someone else deciding it for them.

He also added that famous literary works from other languages, have been translated into Kannada and that has enriched the minds of Kannadigas, and it has never caused any problem to the abundant literary works in Kannada.

While a section is gearing up to protest, some feel that the poor show of the dubbed film Satyadev IPS is itself evidence that the audience is capable of taking the matter into their hands and choosing what is right (entertaining) and what is wrong (not entertaining) for them.