Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan: Netizens divided over demand for Kannada dubbed version

It’s become routine practice for audiences, at least some of them, to decry the lack of a Kannada-dubbed version or adequate number of shows whenever a big-ticket movie releases. For films with legitimate Kannada dubbed versions, the demand is to allot ample number of shows/screens to it, and if the dubbing itself is not done, then that becomes the first order of business. For instance, when Avatar: The Way of Water did not have a Kannada trailer and seemed set for release without a dubbed version in the language, there was a huge hue and cry about the same and the makers then obliged audiences here.

According to distributors, though, this activism is limited to social media, with the ground media being that there are barely any takers for the Kannada shows, as far as exhibitors or audiences go. KVN Productions, which had distributed RRR, had to clarify that exhibitors were not willing to take the Kannada version, even though both leading men – Ram Charan and Jr NTR - had dubbed for their characters. Audience response to such versions has also remained sluggish for most big titles, barring the recent Adipurush, which had decent occupancy in the Kannada version.

The latest film to be in this eye of the storm is Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan, which, as of now, will only be available in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The Atlee directed film is set to release in theatres on September 7, so chances of a last minute addition with a Kannada or Malayalam version is unlikely. This time around, Kannada film aficionados are divided about whether to demand that it be dubbed or if the better bet is to support original Kannada films that will be in theatres around the same time.

“Why is Kannada being ignored by #Jawan”, “If we are not getting Jawan in Kannada we will boycott it in Karnataka,” Kannadigaru should not watch Jawan as it is pan India movie that is not releasing in Kannada,” were among some of the comments in favour of dubbing.

However, another user argued, “Instead of begging for #Jawan dubbing, support and promote our own films that are releasing, then theatres and distributors won’t replace them with Jawan.” This was met with responses that Kannada audiences will take a call based on the content of the films in theatres at the time. While Rakshit Shetty’s Sapta Sagaradaache Ello is in theatres a week ahead, Raj B Shetty’s Toby releases on August 25 and these two could determine the market penetration of Jawan.