Mysuru, Sep 11: Mysuru Dasara is celebrated in various forms, including Yuva Dasara, Raitha Dasara (Farmers’ Dasara), Makkala Dasara (Children’s Dasara), and Kreeda Dasara (Sports Dasara). The Dasara Film Festival is a significant part of these celebrations. However, the State Government’s decision to cancel the film festival during this year’s Mysuru Dasara has sparked intense outrage among cinema lovers and the Sandalwood fraternity. Here is a report on the matter:
What is the reason for the cancellation of the Dasara Film Festival?
According to Mysuru Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, an analysis of data from the past five years revealed a lukewarm response from the public. Additionally, organizing the festival annually incurred an expenditure of approximately Rs.40 to Rs.45 lakh. Yet, it was observed that only 3 to 5 people would turn up to watch some of the films screened at multiplexes and cinema halls.
Furthermore, veteran director Rajendra Singh Babu and director Mansore have objected to the government’s move. They expressed their dismay, noting that Mysuru is the home of the Kannada film industry; cancelling the film festival in a city with such a rich cinematic history is an insult to Sandalwood. Meanwhile, Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has condemned the government’s unilateral decision, alleging that cancelling this prestigious event without consulting veterans of the film industry reflects the government’s apathy towards Karnataka’s cinematic heritage.
At the same time, allegations have surfaced that the film festival’s budget was slashed to offset the expenditure of approximately Rs.7 crore allocated for the ‘Kambala’ festival, which has been newly introduced to the Dasara celebrations this year.
On another note, it is reported that the Dasara Committee plans to add a special touch to the ‘Jumbo Savari’ procession by having popular Kannada stars—including ‘Rocking Star’ Yash, ‘Hat-trick Hero’ Shivarajkumar, *Kantara* fame Rishab Shetty, Rakshit Shetty, Kiccha Sudeep, ‘Crazy Star’ Ravichandran, veteran actress Umashree, Rachita Ram, Rukmini Vasanth, and Sapthami Gowda—travel in an open-top bus from the Amba Vilas Palace to K.R. Circle.