BJP buys anti-FDI film’s rights, to screen it for free

BANGALORE: The BJP in Karnataka has bought rights for a movie that depicts alleged ill-effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on small businesses.
The part has bought the rights of ‘Bharath Stores’ for six months for an undisclosed amount.
BJP state president Prahlad Joshi told TOI the party wants to create awareness about FDI by screening the movie in major cities.
According to co-treasurer of the state BJP S Keshava Prasad, the award-winning movie directed by P Sheshadri has been screened in Uma theatre and Jagannath Bhavana in Bangalore for three days.
“We plan to screen the movie at all district headquarters over the next six months. We have a number of cells, morchas and committees. All our members are invited. We thought it was better to screen the movie instead of giving speeches on the ill-effects of FDI,’’ he said.
Prasad said the BJP will make 1,000 DVDs of the movie.
K Jagadish, organizer of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch in Karnataka, said, “We plan to hold 50 screenings of the movie. We will invite traders and social workers.”
Producer Basantkumar Patil clarified he doesn’t belong to any party. “Prahlad Joshi and BJP general secretary H N Ananth Kumar saw the movie in Uma theatre and appreciated it. I think they are planning 200 shows in six months. I am happy the movie which won the national award for Best Regional Movie (Kannada) has been appreciated by political leaders. Our purpose of spreading the message on FDI has been served,’’ he added.
The BJP wanted the producer to dub the movie in Hindi, “but we told them to get it done as we lack time,” Patil said.
Director Sheshadri said: “I am happy it is going to reach more people. It is a victory for the anti-FDI movement.”
‘Bharath Stores’ stars actors Sudha Rani, H G Dattatreya, Chi Gurudutt, Padmakala and Venkatarao and highlights how globalization has led to malls and marts mushrooming. It shows FDI causing the closure of petty shops affecting the lives of businessmen who own them.