Power of Cinema: ‘Kantara’ Moves K-Govt To Give Allowance

The power of the latest Kannada blockbuster “Kantara” movie that is reaping huge at the Kannada, Telugu and Hindi box office is not just limited to box office collection. Due to the widespread acclaim the film received, almost many folks in India not only came to know about the Daiva/Bhoota Kola dance depicted in the film but even the government got moved now. 

The film deals with the festival of Bhoota Kola which takes place in the region of Tulunadu in Karnataka. The story is about how the hero gets possessed by the animist spirit form of God when someone goes against the promise they gave to the local deity. However, after watching the film, people started to wonder what might have happened to so many aged Bhoot Kola dancers who have dedicated their lives to God.

Finding out that many such aged dancers are struggling with financial issues, the Karnataka government has now announced a monthly allowance of ₹2000 for the elderly Daiva Narthakas who are above the age of 60. All thanks to “Kantara” movie for exposing the plight of these Bhoota Kola narthakas to the light. 

When a good cinema comes out, this is what happens, and we have to appreciate writer-director and lead actor Rishab Shetty for doing this phenomenal job of narrating a tale about the deep-rooted Hindu culture that many don’t know about.