Film fraternity to hold rally to support anti-piracy drive

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 23 (UNI) The film fraternity in Kerala will organise a 'rights day proclamation' rally to the state Secretariat here tomorrow expressing solidarity with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government's sincere efforts to wipe out video piracy in the state.

Though the film fraternity had urged successive governments to take action against the menace, no action had been taken so far, MACTA Federation general secretary and film director Vinayan told a news conference here today.

He said members from all the film organisations like Kerala Film Chambers of Commerce, Kerala Film Producers Association, Kerala Film Distributors Association, Film Exhibitors Federation, Cine Exhibitors Association, AMMA, MACTA, MACTA Federation and Trivandrum Film Fraternity would participate in the rally, which would be addressed by state Cultural Minister M A Baby.

The Achuthanadan Government took the bold step in initiating the anti-video piracy drive through IG Rishiraj Singh, he said.

Appreciating the effective steps taken by the Chief Minister, Home Minister and Cultural Minister against the fake cinema CD makers by conducting frequent raids in video libraries, Mr Vinayan claimed that the revenue from the theaters had been increased by 30 per cent as the films in theaters were running in packed houses.

Mr Vinayan urged the government to introduce a licence for running video shops. By introducing such a licence, not only the government would have a control over the shops but also could take stern action if found they were dealing pirated CDs, he added.

Stating that only 20 per cent raids could be conducted, he said for getting better results the raids should be extended to villages.

Pointing out the danger of pirated CD's in villages, he said about 600 film theaters in villages were closed down because of low revenue, at the same time more than 10,000 video libraries were opened in every nook and corner of the state.

After the rally a convention would also be organised, in which Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Culture Minister M A Baby and leaders of all film organisations would participate, he added.

UNI