THE CLUB ‘GABBU’
Drain for producers

Report and Photos - K.M. VEERESH                                    Date - 30th November 2002

Controversial The Club situated on Mysore Road besides substandard maintenance has become a drain for Kannada producers. What for the functions have to be arranged in The Club has been very seriously discussed in the Kannada film circle.

The Club known for activities that is strange to Indian culture (late night) further adding insults to functions held by film personalities from Kannada in the last few functions. Few years ago K.M. Veeresh with the support of Mr. Ravi Belegere, Editor of famous weekly tabloid `Hai Bangalore' had made a daring attempt to go inside the `The Club’ and had exposed its ugly culture in the nights with his photographs. Another discotheque club he photographed was UFO in Hosur road.  All these photographs were published in `Hai Bangalore’. That photographs and the report published had made the Karnataka Government to stop the illegal activities at all the clubs and resorts in Bangalore. UFO permanently closed their business, while `The Club’ had no business at that time. Slowly they planned and built a Mini Theater and attracted the film industry persons. The Club gave a permanent advertisement to the monthly journal published by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.

One should be surprised that most of the audio cassette function done at The Club takes place only Saturday. Saturday and Sunday is the regular discotheque at The Club. One can see the boys and girls waiting outside to get inside the club. Interesting thing is that a girl can enter directly by paying the amount. When a boy wants to enter The Club he should be accompanied by a girl!

Squeezing money considerably to the Kannada film producers is an added pain. The audio releases and screening of songs of films like Chandu, Dhum, Sainika (projection of film), Thuntaata (Muhurut and audio) and now Nandhi film was held at this place. The Club authorities by insisting the producers saying `the projection is good the songs of film will be screened’. The first disturbance is to the eardrums. One such screening (party there after) cost Rs.5000. The recent ‘Nandhi’ Kannada film song projection tested the patience of people who had come. This function has been a worst experience for director D.Rajendra Babu, actor Sudeep, the producer and media men.

While the Karnataka Government owned Badami House (DTS) charges Rs.1500 for three hours film screening, BCRC projection theatre (DTS) in Gandhinagar charges Rs.500, Santosh Mini has fixed Rs.450 why do our producers go for Rs.5000 screening charges levied by The Club. As we understand almost all the functions of Ashwini Audio Company takes place in this place and the suspicion now whether a hefty commission is fixed for Ashwini on the basis of the final bill. It is true according to a few persons who spoke to Chitraloka that Ashwini will get about 20% reductions.

Romeo Juliet, Dreams (shooting going on), Thuntata, Vijayashanthi, Kathaegalu Sir Kathaegalu, Chandu, Thanks and other films have done the shooting at the club by paying Rs.15000 per day a fee. When the shooting is going on in The Club, attenders of the club rush when the food is served in the afternoon. In one of the film shooting at The Club Heroin Ruthika had to face heavy problem. Shooting was on Saturday. Heavy rush was there at The Club. Drunken boys and girls started teasing her.

When one takes a look at the hygiene and expenses point of view The Club is not meant for Kannada producers. Those who want to build up false prestige only conduct functions. When the film function is held the party begins at the open Hall. Just next to it is swimming pool. Adjacent to this hall is the toilet. Always it is stinking when the Gundu Party is going on. The tables that are adjusted for talks are of small height and it is not ease to sit on chairs. A mineral water cost Rs.24 whereas it is available at Rs.10 outside. Each function bill touches up to Rs.50000 (minimum). This includes the liquor served, the side items and the food.

Kannada producers get up and watch what the rot is served for you and the media by The Club. They are taking publicity in the media at your cost! Moreover the film functions that have taken place at The Club have flopped utterly! Where do your sentiments go producers?