Rajnikanth’s Kaala will not be released in Karnataka

Bengaluru: As a symbol of protest against actor-politician Rajnikanth and his comments on the Cauvery issue, film distributors and exhibitors in Karnataka have unanimously decided not to release his film Kaala in the State. In a meeting convened by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) on Tuesday, more than 80 major exhibitors, representatives of multiplexes and the film’s distributor, Goldie Films, jointly decided not to release the film in Karnataka on June 7.

Rajnikanth, who entered politics recently, has been facing flak from the people of Karnataka for a long time for his stand on the Cauvery issue. In April, he had urged the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Water Management Board and had warned that failing to do so would invite opposition from Tamil Nadu. Recently, he has also been demanding the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu. Kannada organisations and political leaders have been criticising the actor and threatening him of consequences for quite some time.

 Leaders of various Kannada organisations urged the KFCC to request the distributors and exhibitors to not release Rajnikanth’s film Kaala in that State. KFCC President Sa. Ra. Govindu said that distributors and exhibitors had “voluntarily” decided against screening the film “to show solidarity with the people of Karnataka.” Vice-President of KFCC, Umesh Banakar, said that they had received more than 10 representations from many Kannada organisations.

Earlier in 2008, Rajnikanth’s film Kuselan was barred from release in the State by pro-Kannada organisations. That was also because of his comments on the Cauvery issue. Later, the film was released when the actor apologised for his comment. Similarly, actor Sathyaraj’s film Baahubali- The Conclusion also faced problems with its release in Karnataka because the actor had taken a similar stand on the Cauvery issue. It was released only after Sathyaraj apologised.