Bangalore: Even as the crisis in the Kannada film industry deepened following sharp differences over complying of a three-week moratorium on release of other language films, Karnataka Government has invited the warring factions for talks in Bangalore tomorrow (Dec 2, 2004) to strike a "negotiated settlement" to the row.

Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told a meet the press programme in Bangalore that he would chair the meeting to be attended by artists, producers and exhibitors.

He said the Government was willing to consider certain demands put forth by producers for a stringent law to check video piracy, by bringing such violations under the ambit of anti-goonda act and also that of the exhibitors for re-introduction of a service tax, a sop, abolished earlier, following demand by producers.

Siddaramaiah had earlier evolved a peace formula between the factions of the film industry and the exhibitors arriving at an "unofficial agreement" of releasing non-kannada films only three weeks after their release in their respective States.

To the dismay of producers and artists, a section of exhibitors in Bangalore broke the agreement and released some non-kannada films, sparking off a fresh crisis.

The film industry now stood divided on the issue of resorting to total bandh, as a section, was against such a move, citing that daily wagers in the industry would be hit hard.

Those engaged in production of serials for mini-screen were not opposed to film activity bandh.