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State panel okays delayed release of non-Kannada films
BANGALORE: The panel headed by Karnataka chief secretary KP Pandey has given in to the demands of the Karnataka Film Producers Association (KFPA) and the Karnataka Film Directors Association (KFDA) on non-Kannada Films’ release in Karnataka.
According to the agreement, non-Kannada films will be released in the state only after seven weeks from the date of release in their own states and that only six prints of each film would be permitted for the state. The decision has come into effect since Tuesday, 24 August.
According to media reports, the pro-Kannada film lobby, which had been demanding a twelve-week delay and a maximum of for prints, has agreed to soften its stand. The sub-committee also plans to intimate other film chambers in other states and the South India Film Chamber of Commerce to co-operate in implementing the six print norm.
Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) president S Ramesh is quoted in media reports as saying, “This decision will come into effect Tuesday and violators will be dealt with strictly, including a permanent ban in Karnataka.”
Regarding the reversal of reduction of entertainment tax for non-Kannada films from 70 per cent to 40 per cent, the panel has assured that a decision can be expected from the government within 15 days. The panel in the meantime plans to study the entertainment tax pattern of other states.
“The exhibitors and distributors of non-Kannada films will receive a body blow if the decision of the panel is implemented by the government. Many theaters will be forced to close down if we are not allowed to exhibit the movie simultaneously with other parts in the country.
Today, movies are being launched worldwide on the same day and here in Karnataka we are going a step backward. Generally pirated CDs and DVDs of a movie are available after the first day itself. So the Kannada film fraternity, instead of improving the quality of their films are indirectly encouraging piracy of non-Kannada film,” said one Bangalore-based theater owner.
“Many distributors have made payments in advance for booking non-Kannada movies. Their returns for the booking of films will go for a toss. More ever, Hindi is a national language, can anyone, even a state government delay or ban a national language film in this way? In any case the six print limit is okay for Hindi or English films, but as many as 20 prints are released of Telugu and Tamil films, and the price paid for these films by the distributors sometime runs to crores of rupees!” he added.
Industry sources are also unsure about the fate of various multiplexes, which are coming up in and around Bangalore, in today’s changed scenario.
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Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
