Clash of the titles

The Shankar Gowda production Varadhanayaka and Soorappa Babu’s Varadha are locked in a tussle over which film gets to retain its title
What’s in a name? A lot, it would seem, as producers Shankar Gowda and Soorappa Babu have called on the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to sort out an issue over the titles of their forthcoming projects. Shankar’s in-production Varadhanayaka, starring Sudeep and Chiranjeevi Sarja in the lead, and Soorappa’s proposed film with Shivarajkumar, Varadha, are fighting it out over who gets to retain the title.
According to Soorappa, who is also the current head of the Title Committee, he owned the title Varadha before Shankar registered his film as Varadhanayaka. He also maintains that no other film should have a title similar to the one he holds. “I own the title Varadha and it is meant for my film with Shivarajkumar, which I hope to start shooting for soon,” says Soorappa. Shankar is peeved at the turn of events. This isn’t not the first time he’s had to deal with Soorappa over a title. The title of Shankar’s earlier film, the Sudeep-starrer Kempe Gowda, came to him when he procured it from Soorappa for a hefty amount.
“The KFCC sent letters to Soorappa and me on September 2, 2011 asking us to sort out the issue between ourselves. By then, I had already started shooting for the film. On October 29, the KFCC issued another letter stating that since the title Varadha had been registered, I should wait till it releases and then register my film as Varadhanayaka. But I have shot most of my film assuming this would be the title. In fact, Sudeep’s character in the film is called Varadhanayaka. If Soorappa had started shooting for his film, I would have given up the title. But he hasn’t. In his letter to the KFCC, though, he claims he has started shooting with Shivanna,” says Shankar.
The matter is now with the KFCC. “I’m the head of the title committee, but I’m not the ultimate decision maker. I can make recommendations, but the KFCC can reject or accept the title. I’d announced my film Varadha on Shivarajkumar’s birthday and intend to start shooting for it at the earliest,” says Soorappa.
Translation of the letter from the KFCC to Shankar Gowda dated September 2, 2011: Eshwari Productions Company has already registered the title Varadha and an advertisement has been released in this regard. They will soon start shooting for the film. Since Varadha and your film involve two big stars, please sort out the matter between the two producers. Signed by BN Gangadhar (Member, KFCC)
Letter from the KFCC to Shankar Gowda, dated October 29, 2011: With regard to your request for the title of Varadhanayaka for your film, we have come to a decision that the title Varadha has already been registered. You can register your title after Varadha releases. Signed by Sa ra Govind (Secretary, KFCC)
Contributed by Mahesh H