The Kannada film industry is abuzz with controversy after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed strong disappointment over the absence of industry stalwarts at the inauguration of the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes) held last Saturday. His remarks, particularly a statement about “tightening nuts and bolts,” have sparked a heated debate within the fraternity and beyond.
Shivakumar, visibly upset over the low turnout from Sandalwood, stated, “I know how to tighten their nuts and bolts,” signaling his dissatisfaction. He further criticized the industry for its lack of involvement in social causes, citing the example of the Mekedatu padayatra—‘Namma Neeru, Namma Hakku’—which aimed to raise awareness about Bengaluru’s drinking water crisis. According to him, barring actors Sadhu Kokila and (Duniya) Vijay, the Kannada film industry remained largely absent from the movement.
“This is not a private event of either Siddaramaiah or me. This is a festival meant for the industry—actors, directors, producers, and technicians. Consider this a request or a warning—if the government does not cooperate and denies shooting permissions, films cannot be made. I, too, know how to tighten the nut and bolt,” he warned.
Industry and Political Reactions
Shivakumar’s remarks triggered a political uproar, with opposition parties accusing him of intimidating the film fraternity.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok questioned, “Does the DCM think the film industry is a slave to the Congress party? If Ambareesh were alive, he would have given Shivakumar a befitting reply.”
Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy also hit back, stating that voters, too, know how to “tighten the nuts and bolts” of those who cross the line.
Shivakumar Defends His Statement
Addressing the backlash, Shivakumar clarified that he had no intentions of issuing threats but was merely emphasizing the need for the industry to step up.
“I am not someone who uses ‘colorful words.’ I speak directly. I have always supported the Kannada film industry. I once ran a touring talkies named after Indira Gandhi and currently own 23 screens in Bengaluru. Kannada cinema has risen to great heights, even surpassing Bollywood in some aspects. Some are working hard to achieve this, and I want to see Kannada films reach greater heights. My words were colloquial, but my intent was for the industry’s welfare,” he explained.
Divided Opinions Within the Industry
Actor-turned-politician Ramya (Divya Spandana) took a balanced stance, acknowledging that Shivakumar was “not entirely wrong.”
“As actors, we hold considerable influence, and it’s important to lend our voice to causes we believe in. However, participation should be a personal choice, not enforced through threats. Many actors avoid voicing opinions due to trolling and professional repercussions,” she noted.
Veteran filmmaker T.S. Nagabharana, however, criticized Shivakumar’s choice of words, calling them “inappropriate and reflective of his culture.” He also pointed out lapses in the invitation process, suggesting that organizers should have personally reached out to industry members, as was done in the past.Rajya Sabha MP and actor Jaggesh expressed frustration over the industry’s internal disarray, revealing that invitations for the event were sent out just an hour before the inauguration. “There is no unity, no discussions, and the artists’ association is non-existent. The industry is already struggling—tightening the bolt on something that’s missing is pointless,” he remarked.
Acclaimed filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli also shared his disappointment, stating that he had not received an invitation despite his film Ghatashraddha being screened at the festival.
Karnataka Film Chamber and Others Speak Out
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce president M. Narasimhalu defended Shivakumar’s remarks, asserting that the industry should have shown up for the event.
Actor-director-writer Chakravarthy Chandrachud, however, raised concerns over the politics surrounding the Film Academy, questioning whether top actors like Kiccha Sudeep, Yash, and Upendra had even been invited.
“Politicians want mileage out of the film industry, which is why they held the festival’s inauguration on the steps of Vidhana Soudha. But you can’t act like a dictator just because you’re in power,” he remarked.
Film Academy President Responds
Amidst the controversy, Film Academy president Sadhu Kokila defended Shivakumar, stating that the issue was being blown out of proportion.
“Shivakumar sir is one of us. He was just expressing his disappointment because attendance was low,” he said. He also insisted that invitations were sent well in advance, though some might have been missed.
“Everyone knew the festival was set to begin on March 1—we announced it on January 6. I personally handed over 600 VIP passes to the Film Chamber for distribution to distributors and exhibitors. If anyone should have shown interest in this event, it was the film fraternity,” he added.
The Bigger Picture
While this debate highlights the growing disconnect between Sandalwood and the state government, it also brings forth deeper issues—such as the lack of unity within the industry and the politics influencing cultural events. The controversy has opened up discussions on the need for better communication and cooperation between policymakers and the film fraternity.
As the dust settles, one thing remains clear: the relationship between cinema and governance continues to be intertwined, and navigating this dynamic will require mutual respect and dialogue rather than coercion.
