Rajinikanth fans across the country have been awaiting the release of Kaala on June 7 eagerly. Therefore, the news of the ban on the Superstar's upcoming film in Karnataka may come as a huge shocker.
The Confederation of Pro-Kannada Organisations has called for a ban on Rajinikanth's much awaited flick. The confederation claims that it has the approval of the distributor and exhibitors of the film as well.
Speaking to TNM, Secretary of KFCC Umesh Banakar said that distributors and exhibitors had approached the film chamber on Tuesday, stating that they do not want to screen Kaala in the state.
The reason – the decades-old Cauvery water sharing issue.
“The distributor of the film, Goldie Films and around 25 to 30 exhibitors had met the President of the film chamber today (Tuesday) and submitted statements that they do not want to screen Kaala as Rajinikant’s statements regarding the Cauvery water sharing issue had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas,” Umesh Banakar said.
Sources in the film chamber told TNM that the distributors and exhibitors have been under pressure from the Confederation of Pro-Kannada Organisations, whose support is invaluable for the smooth running of their business.
“If a distributor or theatre owner decided to go against the pro-Kannada organisations, they fear that their activists may pelt stones at the theatre and destroy property. All in all, they want to safeguard their business, which is why they end up complying with the demands of these outfits,” the source added.
Meanwhile, the chiefs of various pro-Kannada outfits are slated to meet tomorrow and discuss the issue of holding protests across the state, calling for Rajinikanth to apologise for his remarks on the Cauvery dispute.
“Rajinikanth has to apologise. Just because he has started a political party, without understanding the ground realities in Karnataka, he is making derogatory statements against Karnataka. As it is the people of both states have fought over the issue for decades now. It's time to unite and face the situation together. Instead of uniting the people, he is making statements which create more barriers. Isn’t he making money by screening films in Karnataka also? Then why must he make such statements? Our demand is that he apologise in public and vow to never make derogatory statements against Karnataka,” said T Narayanagowda, President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike.
In April 2017, pro-Kannada outfits had called for a similar ban on Baahubali 2: The Conclusion. The outfits had alleged that one of the actors in the film, Sathyaraj, had made derogatory statements about Karnataka regarding the Cauvery water sharing issue.
After holding several protests and despite the filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s appeals, the outfits refused to budge until Sathyaraj issued an apology.
This time around, the confederation is expecting an apology from Superstar Rajinikanth and say that they have no problem in releasing the film in Karnataka if he obliges them.