Opposition condemns DCM’s threat of ‘tightening the nut and bolt’ for cine industry

Deputy CM Shivakumar's comments on film industry's political participation spark controversy, condemned by BJP and JD(S).

A day after Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed his anger over film artists/fraternity staying away from the Congress-sponsored Mekedatu protest as well as its thin attendance at the launch of the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFEes)-2025 and issued a veiled threat to the industry, his comments attracted condemnation from the BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular).

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok said that the Deputy Chief Minister had used a public platform to threaten cinema artists. “It is left to the artists to decide whether to participate or not in the political padayatra organised by the Congress. It does not bring honour to your position to tell the artists that they would get benefits if they go with Congress,” Mr. Ashok said on social media platform X. “Artists are no one’s property nor they are Congress party workers. They have the right to identify or remain away from anyone that they want. Come out of the mindset of treating everyone as your slaves and expecting everyone to salute your party. Learn to respect artists.”

In the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the inauguration of BIFFes on Saturday, Mr. Shivakumar not only took objection to the film fraternity not turning out in big numbers for the padayatra, but also took exception to the fraternity staying away from the BIFFes. He said: “We know how to tighten the nut and bolt”.

Jagadish Shettar, former Chief Minister and Belagavi MP, felt that it was a personal decision of the artists to come or not, and that it was not good to threaten them. “There is no need to scold them. In the past, the late thespian Dr. Rajkumar took the lead in the Gokak movement to urge implementation of Gokak report.”

Attacking Mr. Shivakumar, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy told reporters in Koppal that the Congress has been given 138 seats.

“The question on who gives them support or not does not arise. Power is in their hands. Were they given power to tighten nut and bolt of people on the streets? Experts are there to fix it. He should do what is expected of him,” Mr. Kumaraswamy, who was a film producer and distributor earlier, said.  

Actor-turned-politician Nikhil Kumaraswamy told reporters in Bengaluru: “I assume that all in the film industry are aware of the developments in society. It is their personal choice to join a public movement or not. Some artists may have not wanted to identify themselves with a political party. He should learn to respect all and leave aside tightening nut and bolt business.”