Producers rush to register DK Ravi titles

In every sensational incident, like the death of D K Ravi, there is an opportunity to set the cash registers ringing. Or so believe Kannada film producers. The death of the Additional Commissioner, State Commercial Tax es Department, on Monday has sparked off a race among Kannada film producers to get the title `D K Ravi' or its variants registered, to cash in on the sensational incident that created outrage across the state.Shockingly, those who approached the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) for the title include veterans like Anaji Nagaraj, Shankre Gowda and Dinesh Gandhi.In fact, leading producer Shankre Gowda, who produced Sudeep's Kempe Gowda, moved KFCC just a day after Ravi was found dead. But the KFCC was not impressed, and shot down the idea, saying it won't allow anyone now to cash in on such a tragedy. “Even before the fire in the pyre went off, some people are trying to benefit from the tragedy. The applications were not even accepted,“ said KFCC secretary Ba Ma Harish.
Trade sources say the outpouring of grief by people in Kolar and other places of Karnataka where Ravi worked has given producers a blueprint to make a film on the life of the 35-year-old. Besides, allegations that Ravi could have been murdered created more drama to the turn of events.The issue has also taken a political turn with political parties trying to play a game of oneupmanship.
Producer Anaji Nagaraj, one of the applicants, said, “He is a popular and powerful officer, which is why I wanted to do a film about him. I called up the KFCC and they told me there are already three other applicants. I gave up the idea immediately. When so many producers are trying to do a movie, there is no point in joining the mad race. This is not a question of trying to encash the controversy. There have been many films about real-life police and government officers in Kannada. It's a tribute to honest officers in our state.“
Anaji Nagaraj has produced nearly a dozen films with leading stars like Darshan and Vijay, including Bheema Teeradalli, Snehana Preetina and Ravichandran's Paramashiva.
Shankre Gowda was the first to apply for the title. He applied for the title, `DC Ravi' (DK Ravi was a `DC' or deputy commissioner of Kolar where he made a big name for himself). “Yes, I applied the very next day (after Ravi's death). He was a living legend and his death has given us immense grief. I will direct the film myself. The title will be approved only if I get a no-objection certificate from the family. I will not proceed further till I speak to the family and get their permission. This is not the time to do it as everyone is in mourning.I will wait. I repeat it's not an attempt to milk the sentiments, but it's a way of paying tribute to a legend.“
But KFCC is not amused. Ba Ma Harish said, “On Tuesday, there were four producers.On Wednesday, there were 10 others, mostly new producers. Forget the new ones, I am upset with regular producers like Gowda, Nagaraj, Dinesh Gandhi and others who wanted to register titles on DK Ravi.They should have had some sense as the death happened just a day earlier.
We should show some sensitivity. What will people think of film-makers? It will look like we are trying to cash in on publicity and mourning.Make films, but don't make it obvious that you are trying to cash in on the issue. No application has been accepted. Let the producers get a NOC from the family first.“