Bengaluru, DHNS: To encourage film producers to make original Kannada movies, rather than go for remakes, Kannada Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) is coming out with a repository of stories.

The academy, a government- appointed panel, has completed the process of compiling 150 original stories penned by both amateurs and professionals writers in Kannada.

The story bank covers a wide gamut of topics, including drama, adventure, romance, action, horror, suspense among others.

“We will submit the story bank to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on March 15 with a recommendation that the State government provide some subsidy to producers who choose their script from the repository,” KCA?chairman S?V Rajendra Singh Babu said.

The concept of having a Kannada story bank was mooted by the academy last year after it was found that producers and directors complained of lack of good original storylines which they could produce into movies.

Also, the dearth of interesting stories prompted producers to borrow stories from other languages or go in for remakes.

Officials at the academy pointed out that the story bank would be a continuous exercise with stories being added to the repository on a regular basis.

Platform for new talent

It would also be a platform to tap and encourage new talent. Under the project, producers who approach the academy will be provided with a brief narrative of the various stories in repository. “Once a story is picked, the academy will act as a facilitator between the producer, director and the writer,” Babu said.

Janata theatre

At the same time, a 14-member advisory committee of film experts constituted by the State government has suggested that provision be made to provide low-interest loans to those who come forward to construct ‘Janata theatres’.

Akin to ‘Amma theatre’

Janata theatre, created along the lines of ‘Amma theatre’ in Tamil Nadu to provide cinema-viewing at an affordable cost, was announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget two years back. However, the proposal has not moved much forward since.

The advisory committee, comprising actors, representatives of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce has recommended that the government take steps to make Janata theatre a reality.

Babu said many in the Kannada film industry were ready to take up the initiative if the government was willing to provided them with low-interest loans.

Photo credit: DHNS