Kannada film industry to the rescue -- 100 pc tax to pay ransom

Kannada film industry to the rescue -- 100 pc tax to pay ransom
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BANGALORE, AUG 7: After reports came indicating that dreaded brigand Veerappan has demanded a huge sum to release Kannada icon Rajkumar, the state film industry was quick to offer help to bear the burden. It reportedly asked the Karnataka government to impose 100 per cent entertainment tax on Kannada movies to replace any ransom that has to be paid to Veerappan.

Industry representatives conveyed the offer to the Chief Minister on Saturday. The Kannada Film Industry Action Committee -- an umbrella organisation comprising artists, technicians, directors, producers and labourers -- also pledged all possible help to secure Rajkumar's release.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President K C N Chandrashekar told The Indian Express that the industry was prepared to make any ``sacrifice''. ``We inquired the CM about his health and we were assured of his well-being,'' he said.

Chandrashekar also said that he had requested Krishna to make sure that satellite television channels not to air file footage of Veerappan. ``Telecast of such footage would only create fear and anxiety among fans. The CM immediately asked private channels to detest from showing the footage,'' he said.

Meanwhile, stars and directors from the film world -- besides saffron-clad purohits, with rangolis and smoke -- were present at the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Saturday morning to pray for Rajkumar's well-being. Also, a yagna was held from 9 am to 5 pm at the Ganapathy temple next to Rajkumar's house. The Janata Dal (S) held a special pooja at the Sri Subramanya Swami temple at Kumara Park.

The first of the series of prayers at the Karnatala Film Chamber of Commerce was a Ganapathy homa, followed by rarer ones like the Manyu Sukta and Kartya Veerarjuna homas. Manya Sukta is meant for shatru samhara (killing the enemy) and to protect Rajkumar in the forest. ``He cannot now be hurt in the forest by them,'' said a pandit. Around 12 of them, under the leadership of Hrishikesh Biary, have come from Udupi to perform the special poojas.

Kartya Veerarjuna pooja is meant to get back whatever you have lost. For the sankalpa and later to receive prasad, Raghvendra Rajkumar and his wife were there. Actors Jayanthi, Jayamala, Devraj, Sunderraj, Shivram, and director Upendra added glamour to the havan.

Chandrashekar again refused to divulge the amount spend on the homa. ``We are doing this for the welfare of the state. Rajkumar's welfare is everyone's welfare,'' he said.