BANGALORE: Not satisfied with the loss of face and prestige resulting from the failure of the moratorium imposed on non-Kannada films in Karnataka, Kannada film industry is slapped with a new regulation - restrictive advertisement space for films promotions in Karnataka, starting 18 February.
 
 
As per the new decision, announced by Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) VP Sa Ra Govindu, Kannada film producers can use a maximum of half page of ad space during the release of films and on completion of 50 and 100 days, while non-Kannada producers can issue a three column ad during the release of a new film, and during other occasions Kannada film ads will have to be less than half a page while those of non-Kannada films less than two columns. Films of producers not complying with this dictum face a screening ban across the state.
 
 
KFCC justifies its latest diktat by saying that this measure will end the disparity between producers who are well off and can spend huge amounts on ad space and producers who have financial constraints and can afford to place only smaller ads or no ads at all.

In an earlier decision by KFCC, ban was imposed on non-Kannada films, initially of twelve weeks, which was later curtailed to seven weeks and then further reduced to three weeks and ultimately fizzled out, after threats from the film industry across India.

 
 
KFCC claims that it has the backing of all the three bodies -producers, exhibitors and distributors, however how much say the non-Kannada film segment, which generally has deeper pockets than the Kannada film segment has in this matter is a debatable point.