Films must reflect social realities: K'taka CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday called upon filmmakers to ensure that cinema goes beyond mere entertainment and becomes a medium to correct social inequalities.
He was speaking after inaugurating the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha here.
"There is inequality in society. Women, backward classes, farmers and Dalit communities continue to face discrimination. When cinema works towards instilling confidence and driving change among these communities, the true purpose and spirit of the medium is fulfilled," he said.
The chief minister assured that the state government is always ready to support filmmakers who create socially relevant cinema and reiterated its commitment to the overall development of the film industry by extending all necessary assistance.
Recalling the contributions of Rajkumar, he said the legendary actor's films reflected strong social responsibility.
According to him, international film festivals should help people understand the lifestyles, cultures and values of other societies and nations, and inspire social transformation.
"We are, first and foremost, human beings. By treating everyone with love and respect, we must work towards building an egalitarian society. Cinema should play a key role in this," he said.
The chief minister said that understanding human relationships and social practices that promote equality in other countries would also help strengthen social harmony.
He also praised actor Prakash Raj, the festival's ambassador who was present at the event, for not confining himself to cinema alone but being at the forefront of social movements.
"He (Prakash Raj) has consistently stood for the oppressed, farmers, Dalits, backward classes and the values enshrined in the Constitution. His social commitment is commendable," Siddaramaiah said.
The inaugural programme also featured a "World Music Celebration" led by violinist Jyotsna Srikanth, followed by the formal event.
At the film festival, actor Raj said international film and literature festivals are platforms for sharing life experiences and humanity.
He also expressed concern over political interference in cultural platforms and urged the state government to oppose restrictions imposed by the central government on the screening of films from certain countries.
Supporting Palestinian cinema, he recited a poem and urged the government to resist politicisation of cultural exchange programmes.
Actor Rukmini Vasanth of Kantara fame who was one among the special guests at the event, said it was a privilege for a young actor like her to be invited to such a large-scale event.
"Bengaluru is a hub of all art forms. Cinema is a medium that brings together all arts. This platform enables learning through films from across the world, especially through exchanges among technicians and cinema lovers," she said.
According to officials, the Netherlands film Fort Baggage was screened as the opening movie.
This year's festival is being held with the theme "Women's Sensibility, the Voice of Equality," inspired by a famous line from prominent late Kannada poet G S Shivarudrappa.
The festival, to be held till February 6, will showcase around 225 films from 65 countries across multiple sections, including Asian Cinema Competition, Indian and Kannada cinema competitions, contemporary world cinema and retrospectives, they said.
Screenings will take place at Cinepolis at Lulu Mall in Rajajinagar, Suchitra Film Society in Banashankari and the Karnataka Film Artists' Association premises, officials added.
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UP: Police official shunted after killing of two senior employees of biogas plant in Budaun
Budaun (UP) (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh government has shunted the Circle Officer of the area in connection with the recent killing of two senior officials at an HPCL compressed biogas plant in the district, officials said on Sunday.
Superintendent of Police (Rural) Hirdesh Katheriya said that Ujhani Circle Officer Devendra Singh has been attached to the Police headquarters in Lucknow, and Rahul Pandey of UP-112 emergency response service has been posted to Budaun in his place.
The action comes a day after the state government transferred Senior Superintendent of Police Brijesh Kumar Singh following the double murder at the plant in Sejni village in the Musajhag area.
Meanwhile, under the directions of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the chairmanship of the Bareilly divisional commissioner to conduct a detailed probe into the incident.
The incident took place on Thursday when Sudhir Kumar Gupta, 58, deputy general manager at the facility, and Harshit Sharma, 34, an assistant manager, were shot dead by Ajay Pratap Singh, who was earlier a vendor at the plant here in the district.
The main accused has been arrested, and authorities have also pasted notices on six shops allegedly owned by him in Sejni village that were reportedly constructed over government land, they said, adding that the demolition may be carried out after due procedure.
In view of the incident, authorities have also decided to establish a police outpost inside the plant premises with the deployment of two sub-inspectors and eight police personnel to enhance security.
