Bengaluru BMTC Seeks Action Against Film Production for Ad Violation
The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has lodged a formal police complaint against a local film production house, ‘Picture Shop,’ after a video featuring a BMTC bus was uploaded online, which allegedly tarnished the reputation of the corporation. The film production house, led by B. N. Guruprasad, has been accused of violating BMTC’s advertising guidelines and misrepresenting its policies in a manner that could have potentially led to public backlash.
The issue surfaced when Mr. Guruprasad rented a BMTC bus in December 2024 for the shoot of a movie, “Nimma Vastugalige Neeve Javabdararu,” under the agreement that he would comply with BMTC’s advertising guidelines. However, the production house is alleged to have violated this agreement by affixing a promotional film poster to the back of the bus. The controversy further escalated when a 49-second video, produced during the shoot, was uploaded to various social media platforms. In the video, actors dressed in BMTC-like uniforms simulate a scene where motorists are distracted by the film’s poster on the back of the bus, leading to accidents. The video implies that BMTC’s advertising policy could be responsible for such accidents, which has drawn sharp criticism of the corporation’s approach.
The video, which was uploaded in the final week of December, quickly gained traction on social media, with numerous comments accusing BMTC’s advertising practices of creating road hazards. As a result, BMTC received significant negative feedback about its policy, which allows advertisements to be placed on buses. This prompted the corporation to take swift legal action, filing the complaint with Banashankari Police Station on January 7, 2025. In the complaint, BMTC demands the removal of the video from all platforms and seeks a public apology from the production house.
When contacted, Mr. Guruprasad responded that he was unaware of the complaint, citing his busy schedule due to the film’s release. He assured that his team would look into the matter and address the situation appropriately. However, BMTC’s stance on the issue remains firm, with the corporation seeking to safeguard its reputation and ensure that its advertising policies are not misrepresented or ridiculed in the public eye.
From a civic perspective, this incident sheds light on the growing intersection between public infrastructure, media, and the entertainment industry. BMTC, like many urban transport corporations, has faced ongoing challenges in balancing the need for revenue generation through advertising with maintaining its public image. Public transport services like BMTC play a vital role in reducing traffic congestion and promoting sustainable commuting, and any misrepresentation of its policies could undermine public trust in the system.
This case also raises important questions about the ethical responsibility of media content creators and their potential impact on public institutions. While creative freedom is essential in the entertainment industry, it is equally important for filmmakers to consider the broader consequences of their content, especially when it involves public services. In the age of social media, where content can go viral within hours, the repercussions of a single video or image can be far-reaching, affecting not only the targeted entity but also the wider community.
On a sustainability angle, this controversy touches upon the intersection of urban development, responsible advertising, and ethical filmmaking. BMTC’s advertising policy allows it to earn revenue that can be reinvested into enhancing public transport services, which ultimately supports sustainable urban mobility solutions. However, incidents like this highlight the need for more comprehensive and responsible advertising strategies that align with the public interest and the larger goal of promoting sustainable urban environments.
