Debutant director Mahesh Kumar’s excitement about his recently-released film, Ayogya, which has been declared a blockbuster hit, has been dampened a bit due to the film not getting screen time in Hyderabad.

Since the recently-released Telugu and Tamil films are doing well in Hyderabad, exhibitors are not interested in releasing Kannada films.”Yashas Nag, the distributor, who has taken the rights for the film for other regions, claims that neither the single screens nor multiplexes are ready to screen Ayogya,” says Mahesh, adding that this is the fate of all Kannada films in the neighbouring state. “The distributor say that only if they are no good Telugu films will they consider screening Kannada films. Even representatives at the Hyderabad Film Chamber have no say in this matter,” he adds.

On the other hand, Telugu films not only get a warm welcome in Karnataka, but also earn big bucks, says the director.”We will be holding a protest in front of Karntaka Film Chamber of Commerce tomorrow and take their help to sort out the issue,” he adds.

Made under Crystal Park Cinemas, Ayogya stars Sathish Ninasam and Rachita Ram.