On August 14, a significant prayer ceremony, organized by the Kannada film industry to uplift its spirits during a period of difficulty, was met with both support and criticism. Actor Doddanna defends the event, emphasizing that it was done with good intentions and hopes that even the critics can recognize the positive motives behind it. The ceremony featured priests from the Karavali region, with Prakash Ammannaya from Kaup leading the puja. The preparation for the elaborate puja began the night before, lasting for several hours and involving various rituals and prayers such as Gana homa, Mrutyunjaya homa, and Ashlesha bali puja. The costs for these ceremonies varied, with approximate ranges provided. Additionally, the design of the colorful mandala for the Ashlesha puja room took six hours, adhering to a strict protocol and following specific principles. Actor Doddanna stresses the importance of faith and divine intervention when facing challenges, likening the film industry to a family seeking solace through prayer in times of adversity. The senior members of the industry initiated this puja with the belief that it would benefit the community as a whole, demonstrating unity and faith in seeking divine help during challenging times.It is a responsibility to attend. When an artist invites you to their home for a puja, we all make it a point to go, right? So, when the industry is uniting for a sacred purpose, it is the appropriate action to attend it. - Gurukiran, music director