random acts of the mindless

Banned Aid

Orkut's Bangalore community is seeing some heated discussion on this absurd law. Arguments questioning the viability of such a law are jostling for attention with regional viewpoints such as Kannadigas have been so accommodative to the 'non-kannadigas' that they now deserve their 'moment of joy'.
So banning non-kannada movies will provide a 'moment of joy' to the Kannadigas!!! I am a Kannadiga and I know for a fact that we are not a pervert lot to derive joy from depriving our non-kannidiga counterparts of their well-deserved entertainment.
This ban itself is as ludicrous as its justifications. How is it going to help the Kannada film industry is beyond me. Okay, for the first 7 weeks there would be no new non-kannadiga movies, but what after that? And is the industry planning to force the cinema owners to screen Kannada movies? and is it also planning to force viewers to go and watch the movies?
The viewer still has a choice, he was not watching non-kannada movies because he chose not to. He wants to watch what he likes and if he can't get them in the halls, guess what he is going to do? He is going to go hunting for pirated VCD/DVD/VHS/whatevers. So guess who would benefit from this ban? Not the cinema owner at least.
The viewer does not watch Kannada movie not because he is not loyal to the language or because there are not avenues for him to watch it. Its only because, the general quality of the movies is such that it does not entice the viewer. So is this ban going to provide any incentive to the film maker to improve the quality of the productions? I for one would gladly go and watch a 'Dweepa' or a 'Kaadu' but can you force me to watch some sloppy tripe? I think not.
It seems the film makers are trying to take the easy way out. Instead of seeking to ban non-kannada movies and creating a quasi monopolistic market for the Kannada movie, they should be trying to improve the quality of the productions and providing a better experience to the viewer. Thats the only way they can ensure an increase in the viewership.

posted by The Soulforged @ 8/24/2004