A new controversy has gripped the Kannada film industry as the film ‘Martin,’ starring Dhruva Sarja, finds itself at the center of a heated battle between filmmakers and YouTube reviewers. As tensions rise, a Kannada content creator has resorted to calling the film ‘Mortien,’ humorously alluding to a popular pest control product, in a bid to dodge potential copyright strikes on his YouTube channel. This dispute highlights the increasingly fraught relationship between filmmakers and the online reviewing community, especially following the release of ‘Martin’ on October 11, 2024.
The movie, directed by AP Arjun, has drawn both applause and criticism. Audiences praised it for its ambitious action sequences; however, the exaggerated portrayal of the protagonist, played by Dhruva Sarja, did not sit well with everyone. Released over the festive Dasara weekend, ‘Martin’ initially enjoyed a strong opening at the box office. Soon after, though, controversy ensued as numerous YouTube creators were compelled to remove their critical reviews.
Anmol Jamwal, a prominent film reviewer with over 1.22 million subscribers on his Tried & Refused Productions channel, expressed his resolve to refrain from reviewing Kannada films other than those featuring actors from the Shetty clan — Raj, Rishab, and Rakshit — citing their tolerance for both praise and criticism. Jamwal found himself receiving an email from a representative of the ‘Martin’ production team, demanding the removal of his scathing video review, which was scornfully titled “Worst film of 2024.” Instead of risking a copyright strike, Anmol chose to comply and took down his review.
In response to these events, ‘Martin’ producer Uday K Mehta defended his actions as necessary to safeguard his film’s interests. He elaborated on obtaining a John Doe order from the court, authorizing legal actions against any parties perceived to harm the film’s commercial success. “As a producer, it is my duty to protect my movie from unjust harm,” Uday asserted, highlighting his determination to address any detrimental content.
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Shan Prasher, a Canadian YouTube reviewer, criticized ‘Martin’ filmmakers for their failure to adhere to “YouTube etiquette.” His review had also fallen victim to the alleged misuse of the copyright strike system by the film’s team. “According to YouTube guidelines, a warning should precede any copyright strike, but in my case, this was sidelined in an abuse of the system,” Prasher stated, having filed a legal counter-notification demanding a response from the production team within ten days.
Uday K Mehta countered accusations of unjust actions, claiming that ‘Martin’ bore the brunt of personal attacks from influential fans of rival movie stars and cliques adverse to the film’s director, AP Arjun. “This misplayed chaos left me struggling as the film’s producer,” Uday lamented.
Fanning the flames, Sudhakar Gowda, a Kannada YouTube reviewer, faced harassment in the form of threatening calls after posting a critical review of ‘Martin.’ He stood by his right to express his opinion, having purchased a ticket and thus believing he was justified in speaking candidly. Gowda’s review labeled the movie a “wannabe KGF,” particularly taking issue with Sarja’s exaggerated performance.
Director AP Arjun denied harboring animosity toward YouTube reviewers, cautioning instead against what he perceives as rampant “paid reviews” within the industry, a concern previously evidenced in the Malayalam film sector. Arjun advocated for objective criticism based on informed analysis rather than impulsive negative commentary that could unjustly harm a film’s prospects.
Echoing this sentiment, seasoned Kannada critic Kairam Vaashi acknowledged the financial stakes involved in filmmaking, noting that while he understands filmmakers’ frustration with negative portrayals, they should address grievances through appropriate legal means rather than exerting undue influence over content creators.
The ‘Martin’ controversy underscores the growing tension between the creative and analytical facets of film culture. As YouTube reviewers maintain that their roasts blend sharp critique with wit — steering clear of personal jibes — the clash reveals the difficulty in balancing creative expression with commercial safeguarding. As social media users rally behind calls for constructive engagement over censorship, the evolving dynamics of digital review culture suggest a need for establishing clear guidelines that respect both the creativity involved in filmmaking and the reviewers’ rights to critique objectively.
