Bangalore: No end to the ongoing crisis in the Karnataka film industry appeared to be in sight with a meeting of a Government appointed committee today (Sep 13, 2004) deciding to continue the seven-week moratorium on release of non-Kannada films.

The decision emerged at the second meeting of the committee headed by K P Pande, Principal Secretary, and Finance, which comprises representatives of the film industry including cine artistes, producers and exhibitors after it reviewed the situation.

Speaking to reporters, actor "Mukhyamantri" Chandru, a member of the committee, said a sub-committee would be formed to tour different States across the country to study the pattern of exhibition of films in Bangalore.

He said efforts would be made to find a solution under the leadership of cine actor turned politician Ambareesh after the election of the new office-bearers of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, which is slated for September 24.

C S Kedar, Secretary for Information, Tourism and Youth Services, said the exhibitors and distributors sought inclusion of their categories also in the state film awards.

Bowing to a demand of the Kannada film industry, the seven-week moratorium has been put in force by the Government, but the theatre owners have put the seven-week moratorium in force and distributors of non-Kannada movies are up in arms against it. Most cinema theatres have closed.