It is well known that every time there is change in power in the state, political leaders affiliated to the ruling party are appointed to head the boards and corporations as a reward for their loyalty to the party and sometimes to the party leaders.
With the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah coming into power in Karnataka, the heads of various boards and corporations are headed for replacements at the earliest, with new members being appointed.
One such board/corporation — the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) — was formed under the aegis of the Department of Information and Public Relations to promote the culture of cinema and for ushering professionalism in the Kannada film industry. The body also holds the prestigious annual Bengaluru International Film Festival (Biffes).
Renowned cinematographer Ashok Kashyap was heading the Academy till recently, and now with the new government coming into power, the race is on for the selection of its new chairperson.
According to sources, the names of director SV Rajendra Singh Babu, actor-politician Ramya, and Bhavana, along with another director, KR Nanjundegowda, are being mentioned.
While Ramya has been a one-time MP from Mandya Lok Sabha Constituency, renowned director Rajendra Singh Babu has already served as the KCA chairman in the past. Also, Bhavana worked as president of Bal Bhavan.
Whether Ramya, who has not been so active in politics in the recent past, will be the first choice, or whether it will be Rajendra Singh Babu, or the two others, will soon be revealed.
However, no other KCA chairman has come back to head the Academy for a second time, a fact which could play a role — or maybe this time will be an exception. Watch this space.
