The arrogance of ‘Bommai Mama’: A story about culture

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BySouth First Desk

Published May 14, 2023 | 1:52 PMUpdatedMay 14, 2023 | 1:52 PM

A poster image of the Kannada film Dollu.

Even as Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai submitted his resignation to the Governor after the BJP was defeated hands down in Karnataka, a Kannada filmmaker took to Twitter to reveal a bitter experience he encountered earlier with the saffron party leader.

Interestingly, he sarcastically referred to Bommai as “Bommai Mama”.

For those who might wonder about the “Mama” connection, Kannada star Kichcha Sudeep, who campaigned for the BJP in Karnataka, fondly refers to Bommai as “Mama” for the close bond that he shares with the BJP leader.

As for the bitter experience, Pavan Wadeyar shared that when he invited Bommai to watch his maiden production venture Dollu, which went on to win a national award, the chief minister apparently showed his arrogance.

That arrogance of “Bommai Mama” was still fresh in his mind, he said.

He also noted that Bommai, however, had time to attend a Telugu movie event wherein he sat for three straight hours!

Dollu, made under his banner Wadeeyar Movies, is directed by Sagar Puranik. The film is about one of the old folklore dances in Karnataka.

Pavan Wadeyar also said that when he invited Congress leader Siddaramaiah, he not only accepted his invitation but came to watch the film the same evening.

He added that Siddaramaiah praised the film since he loves Kannada folk art, especially dance.

He said Kannadigas were not fools, and that they would not sell their language, culture, and folk traditions.