Cricket tournament to bridge animosity gap in Sandalwood

Various associations from industry will battle for coveted Rajkumar Cup to put aside differences developed after a spate of controversies

Cricket tournament to bridge animosity gap in Sandalwood

Various associations from industry will battle for coveted Rajkumar Cup to put aside differences developed after a spate of controversies

After one controversy followed by another has been dogging the Sandalwood industry, they have come up with a unique way to fight the growing criticism. The solution is to bridge the divide through cricket and various associations in the Sandalwood industry will be battling for the coveted Rajkumar Cup. While practice sessions have already begun for the participants, the 3-day tournament is scheduled to take place on October 30, 31 and November1.

Game for it? Actor Darshan's domestic dispute may have caused many
in the industry to take sides, so the Karnataka film industry appears to
be turning to cricket to solve its internal feud. File pic

This is the second edition of the Rajkumar Cup and while last year the Choreographer's Association hosted the tournament, this year the Director's Association has taken the initiative to bring the entire industry together to battle it out in a peaceful yet aggressive way. Also, last year, the Editor's association - one of the strongest teams in the tournament - lifted the trophy.

"This year we have eight teams participating. Practice sessions began on the 15th of this month and we have been juggling between our schedules and practice. It is surely going to be an interesting tournament. The prize is the coveted 8 kg silver Rajkumar Cup worth Rs 1.5 lakhs. More than winning, it is about coming together to play," said M S Ramesh, member, Sandalwood Director's Association.

Fireworks after Diwali
While the industry was openly divided on the Darshan controversy - they now have come together to play the tournament. Various associations like the Directors, Producers, Artists, Political parties, Media, Editors, Choreographers, Fight Masters and Cameramen's associations would be competing. However, industry insiders reveal that there is already a lot of friction between clashing associations.

"Several artists in the industry had fought openly over the issue of Darshan and his wife. Many sided the victim and now they are having trouble playing with each other peacefully since past wounds are haunting them and many people in the industry don't get along. Hopefully, there will not be much friction on the field during the match," said an industry insider.

Waiting game
The Chief of the Producer's Association and controversial figure in the industry, corporator turned producer, Munirathna Naidu added his bit to the growing friction. "The entire industry respects the Rajkumar family and so we have to come together to play the tournament peacefully. However, Darshan's matter was a personal issue thrown open on a public forum, so people were divided on this. People who want to bring the industry together, would play peacefully, while others will remain neutral in this series. Let us see how everything goes," he said.

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