From Afar
A weekly column by
Sahasranshu Mahapatra, New Delhi
A news report on an alleged crime involving a lead actor of Ollywood, a debate, by many people from all walks of life, on the blogsphere and a relentless, patient effort by the editor to prove his stance– are what all this website witnessed since last one month. The story on Chandan Kar (Babu I Love You fame) has drawn 34 comments so far and perhaps many more are on the way. It might have kept this website abuzz or drawn much clicks on the pages of this site but definitely not in good taste.
It is not new for the friends and relatives to defend an accused. It is also sure for the feminists to raise voice against a dowry torture. But to my knowledge this story drew such attention because of involvement of a budding Ollywood star. Had it been about a common man, would it have raised such fierce exchange of words? Many dowry cases are being reported everyday in Orissa. How many of us are raising our voices either for the accused or for the victim?
In the due process the blog page witnessed many serious questions on media ethics, judicial system of this country, media trial, crime against the weaker sex and so on. But what all forgot is its impact on Ollywood, the industry of which the accused Chandan Kar is an integral part. Did we bother to think what will be the impact of this incident on an industry which seriously needs an image make over. What will be the impact of the newcomers those who are dreaming of a career in this show world. Perhaps these are the questions the editor of this website wanted to address, but in a very subtle manner.
It was a crisis for the Oriya film industry to find new talents. The same heroes or heroines and few actors ruled the silver screen for Oriya audience for decades. Be it Gaur Prasad Ghosh, Babida, Prashant Nanda, Bijaya Mohanty, Uttam Mohanty, Sriram Panda, and Mihir Das as the protagonists or Dukhiram Swain, Hara Patnaik, Rai Mohan, Ashru Mochan as the baddies- the Oriya audience were habituated with these few faces on the silver screens. Some of them are still ruling the space in the world of light and shades. Thanks to the television boom that paved the way for young talents to make it big in the Oriya filmdom. In late 1990s some young talents slowly made their entry into this highly closed world of film making. The result is quite visible with the emergence of Siddhant, Sritam, Pintu Nanda, Abubhav as heroes and Mama, Ushashi, Anu, Jyoti, Barsa as heroines and many other young talents.
Unlike Bollywood or South Indian film industry the crime involving film personalities is hardly heard in Orissa. The lone incidents of such stature must not rattle the future of the budding artists. If such debates goes on then definitely the newcomers would seriously contemplate on their every move before entering to Ollywood. The worst fear is that the largely conservative Oriya society may take a negative note of such incidents which in turn might bring bitter experiences in the social life of the budding artists. The same week there was news on the website of a crime involving Siddhant, the most celebrated hero of the present Ollywood. There was not a single word on Siddhant’s traffic rule violation. But did Chandan’s story have this attention because of it was a case of dowry harassment.
Chandan may be released tomorrow free from all charges. He may settle well with his wife forgetting all past and finally he may become the demigod of silver screen for Oriya audience. Nobody can rule out any possibility.
Folks! Before jumping into any conclusion or any such debates we must not forget that it’s the Ollywood image what matters above all.
We love to cherish the bygone days of Orissa Cinema. But we equally look forward to relish everything thats happening right now in our film community. What are the new Oriya film and television releases? Who is going to emerge winner at our box offices? When will Rajja and Dussahara be declared Oriya Film Festivals? Who did you notice on your latest visit to Keshari Talkies? Find out all about it right here. At Orissa Cinema!
January 21st, 2008 at 4:44 am
@sahasransu
It is true that there is a story and a story between the lines and ofcourse the real story.But really there is hardly any smoke without fire.It is true that chandan kar shouldn’t have been painted in such bad light till proven guilty.Oriya film personalities should take care to not to do things that spoil their image.
I used see oriya films.Now-a-days no more.The kind of titles these films have and the cinematography,storyline everything sucks.It is a old maxim that the storyline is the thing.But the films that are made,hardly considers the audience to be an intelligent,thinking being.Its hightime oriya film industry get’s its act together and creates something which is relevant to the modern oriya ,rather than producing the run of the mill stuff.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Complete rubbish charges as usual…. Chandan Kar is a victim of misuse of 498a IPC… a high profile victim of “Legal Terrorism”… It is used of Money Extortion.. The so called Intellecutals in Orissa are still sit silent …take it from me this menace ( misuse of 498a) would engulf the whole society and the worst sufferers will be the High Society who controls media, business, etc today.
Remember, the Ex-Chief Justice Ranganath Mishra who closed his eyes to this menace when laksh of innocent Mothers/Sisters/Aged parents/small children were put to jail just on the basis of a plain accusation, He got its taste when it happened in his own family ; so happened to Central Minister Arjun Singh, Dasari Narayana Rao, Chief Minister of Haryana Mr Hooda, Film Stars, Business Tycoons….
Eunchs sit idle in Orissa and watch it helplessly… “The Samaja” reported the abuse of 498a with statastics (based on Police Department data) in 2006.
There are scores of emperical data available.
What else the Civil Society wants …
When it will burn their own butts perhaps all will react …
February 13th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Hello Mr. Orissa Cinema,
This is Chandan Kar..the ‘greedy hero’ who according you & your reliable sources tortured his wife for money. Let me give you a very nice update. My beloved wife has filed a maintainence case of Rs 45k per month. Will you be gracious enough to tell me how many people you know of in this state who need 45k every month for their bare minimum needs. Some more info for you. I have already filed a quash petition in HC & her case has been stayed. I have requested the CM of Orissa for a high level investigation into this matter. Let me know how many criminals you have heard of who want a re investigation. If you want to get some more facts contact me & I will give you replies to each & every question of yours.
February 13th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Thanks Mr. Mohapatro for looking at the real aspect of the story rather than putting a blind eye to the facts like some folks.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Crime Bure data, 2005 All India: Did You Know?
In the Year 2005, the Crime Against Men, More than Twenty-two Lacks sixty Four Thousands ( 92.88%) vs One Lack fifty-five thousands against women( 6.38%)?
http://ncrb.nic.in/crime2005/cii-2005/Table%201.1.pdf
Comp. Sue Moto By Police(FIR Registered): 24,37,973/-
Crime Against Women : 1,55,553/-
Crime against Child : 17,975/-
Crime against Men : 22 ,64 , 445/-
In the Year 2005 the Crime Against Men, More than Twenty-two Lacks sixty Four Thousands vs One Lack fifty-five thousands against women?
% Wise All India Crime Against Men, Woemn and Child as Under :
Crime Against Women : 6.38%
Crime Against Child : 0.73%
Crime Against Men : 92.88%
We wonder Whose life is in More Danger in India : Men or Women?
——————————————————————————–
Data of Crime Bure 2006 498A and 304B:
Data of Crime Bure 2006 498A and 304B:
No. of Person Arrested under (498A +304B) : 161217
Child/Senior citizen/Women arrested :280/4700/31253
No. Of person Arrested Under 304B : 24562
No. of Person Arrested Only under 498A (living women) : 137180
No. Of person Not Charge sheeted : 31128
No. Of person Charge Sheeted : 125277
No. Of person’s Trial Completed : 78292
No. Of person convicted (498A+304B) : 16995
No. Of Person Convicted by 304B : 5144
No. Of person Convicted Under 498A but not 304B : NA?
No. Of person Proved Innocence at Court under 498A : 61297
No. Person’s case compunded or withdrawn : 13970
No. Of person Convicted only under 498A without 304B : NA ?
No. Of person Accused under 498A and harresed to Got AB/ArrestStay and Trail not recomended, at least 5 times more 8,05,000 : NA ? ( 8,05,000 )
On an average (3+19.3) = 22.3% people’s case (4812+31128) =35,940/- had not been even charge sheeted and proved innocence before trail.
It is a clear example that approx 80% cases people proved their innocence at Court that they had been arrested without any reason/evidence as 498A/304B is non-bailable and do not need any evidence to arrest any TOM/Dick or Marry .
So, it is a clear example that more than 92.3% cases the people had been arrested under 498A without any evidence, where as if the case is true and the verbal statement of the compliment itself find true, the convection is 100%.
Still in this special LAW more than 92.3% People proved their innocence, where as in normal IPC the convection is more than such LAW, then why need this special LAW?
The Answer : To do the Legal Terrorism and earn the money from Husband’s Family as a whole sale free license and openly Blackmail and do the extortion of money by Wives family in front of Police/Court/Media and the same is not to be termed as crime.
We wonder Whose life is in More Danger in India : Men or Women?
To understand the reason one must Know: Women “Engineering viewpoint”
Crime Bure data 2005 : Married Men Sucide : 52k vs Married Women Sucide 28K.Still there is no LAW to Protect Men why?
2006 Crime Bure Data : Married Men Sucide:55452 vs. Married Women Sucide:29.869
Will Our LAW Maker change the LAW 304B( dowry death) to 304C( Sowry Death) and 498A ( harrasement to wife) to 498B ( Sowry harrasement by wife)
February 15th, 2008 at 2:45 am
Seems like you dont have the guts to post my messages on your forum… C’mom man..you are true journo right..so where have ur work ethics gone. Keep my messages in the forum & then lets have a debate.
February 20th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Mr. Orissa Cinema,
Are you a sane person with a family or do you run a fake 498a racket?
I am surprised because when you see a woman who has never given dowry asking for 45,000/- per month as maintenance do you smell something?
Why does she need so much money tax free? Do you need to understand why she is filing false case of dowry harassment (498a)?
Are you a journalist or a pimp working for this woman?
Why are you abusing an innocent person based on false allegations? Have these allegations proven? No.
Chandan Kar has been able to PROVE THAT THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE FALSE TO a large extent in CRIMINAL COURTS. What have you got to say about it?
Are you willing to eat your own words?
Male chauvanistic PIGS like you are the scum of indian society. They will never let india progress. Women and men both need rights. Stop blaming innocent men and preaching them to suffer because your father and grand father have committed atrocities on women.
Your family is made of scoundrels and that is why you are abusing an innocent. Have some shame.
Thanks,
Rajesh
March 8th, 2008 at 4:52 am
please try to involb oriya actor &actresses.try to make own story, don,t try to copy any outsider story. orissa have a lot of talent.make film according to 21st century.
May 25th, 2008 at 9:30 am
what is the name of the lady in lead role of gayatri serial in etv oriya