Officials cite poor response and financial constraints to cancel the event

Mysuru: Dasara Film Festival, one of the popular events during Dasara, has been shelved this year. As part of the Fest, popular Indian, international movies were being screened at multiplexes, University of Mysore Senate Bhavan and at Kalamandira complex. However, film buffs will not be able to watch the movies this year.

While the State Government has been spending nearly Rs. 7 crore for the newly included Kambala, the Film Festival is said to have been cancelled owing to financial constraints.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy said, “On examining the data for the past five years, we found poor response from the public for the Film Festival. People have not been coming forward to watch old popular movies as well. The event could have been continued if it was any help to the artistes. But with Rs. 40 lakh to Rs. 45 lakh being spent only on theatre rentals, it has been decided not to organise the event this year.”

Last year, Dasara Film Festival Sub-Committee had screened 17 movies in world cinema category, 25 in Indian cinema category, 18 Kannada movies, 9 movies directed by women and eight children movies. However, this year not a single movie will be screened which has come as a disappointment for cine buffs.

The decision to cancel the Dasara Film Festival has also attracted criticism from film buffs, who have alleged that the State Government had cancelled the event to divert the funds for Kambala.

‘Don’t cancel Film Festival’

Film director S.V. Rajendra Singh (Babu) has requested the State Government to continue organising the Dasara Film Fest. Stating that Dasara Film Festival, which is a part of Dasara festivities for the past 45 years, could have been made as popular as Cannes Film Festival, Rajendra Singh questioned the need to cancel the event. “Dasara is a festival to promote art, culture and tradition of the State and cinema is an integral part of the State’s culture. Cancelling the event will be an act of disrespecting the Kannada Film Industry,” he said.

Rajendra Singh also urged the State Government to establish a separate authority for the Film Festival to ensure that Film Festival is organised regularly according to international standards.

He has also requested the State Government and the Dasara High Power Committee to reconsider its decision.