In a week without big releases in Sandalwood, two controversies raged.
Aditya, hero of ‘Deadly Soma’ (2005) and ‘Edegarike’ (2012) fame, was upset with YouTube reviewers for giving a negative verdict his latest release ‘Munduvareda Adhyaya’. The actor made a video, slamming YouTubers and challenging them to make a movie.
A part of the Kannada film YouTube community hit back, saying people have the right to comment and criticise any work of art. A peeved Aditya approached the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) and filed a complaint, urging the body to bar people from reviewing films on YouTube.
This is the second instance in recent times where a film person has slammed YouTube reviewers. Director AP Arjun of ‘Addhuri’ fame expressed a similar sentiment and faced objections from many experts for not valuing film criticism.
In another controversy, a group, claiming to be from a fan association of Sudeep, attacked Ahoratra,a writer, for asking the actor not to advertise gambling. The writer slammed Sudeep for being the brand ambassador for Rummy Circle, an online card game. “People are struggling for money during the pandemic. Promoting such games will make people lose more money,” he said. After a group barged into his home, roughed him up and demanded an apology, Ahoratra called for Sudeep’s arrest.
Sudeep responded in a television interview saying he had the government’s permission to feature in the advertisement. The actor said he has a reputation of helping people in need but some people target him by finding faults in his actions.