Karnataka is turning out to be an interesting market for Baahubali 2. After being threatened with a ban, the state is now gearing up to give the high-profile film a warm reception. The icing on the cake is that there are also voices requesting SS Rajamouli to dub the film in Kannada.
Baahubali 2 is releasing in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam languages in Karnataka and it is the only state in India where all the four versions are releasing in several screens. Unfortunately, it is not being dubbed in the local language despite a reasonable demand for the dubbed Kannada version.
Jayanth Siddamallapa, a member from an organisation which has been working for the Kannada consumers' language rights, told International Business Times that they have tried to showcase the demand for Baahubali 2 in Kannada on Twitter through trends.
"On Twitter, we have created trends and tried to convey to the makers of Baahubali 2 that there is a demand for its dubbed Kannada version, but we have not heard anything from the makers. As per a survey, around 2-2.5 crore people in the state know only one language. So, isn't it wise to dub the film in Kannada?" he asked.
"For those who say that there is no market for dubbing should look at the response that dubbed trailers of Hollywood films received recently," he said. However, with only a few days left for the release, Baahubali 2 is unlikely to be released in Kannada.
An unofficial ban has been imposed in Karnataka by the anti-dubbing lobby for several decades. In the 1960s, the film industry spearheaded by many cultural icons and Sandalwood's matinee idol Dr Rajkumar decided not to encourage dubbed content in Kannada.
A few years ago, the Kannada Grahaka Koota took the issue to the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which passed the verdict in favour of dubbing, while terming the ban "illegal." Earlier efforts to dub movies from other language into Kannada had met with little success due to the lack of co-operation within the industry. Meanwhile, the Competition Appellate Tribunal has upheld CCI's verdict, which has come as a shot in the arm for the pro-dubbing movement.
Coming to Baahubali 2 in Karnataka, the movie was threatened to be banned by pro-Kannada groups over anti-Kannada statements made by Sathyaraj nine years ago. The issue was solved after the actor apologised for his comments.
