Chennai, June 6 : With the Supreme Court refusing to grant a stay, the stage is set for the nation-wide release of actor-cum-politician Rajinikanth’s new film ‘Kaala’ tomorrow, but the fate
of the film screening hangs in balance in Karnataka following his remarks on the Cauvery issue.
Some pro-Kannada outfits in Karnataka have threatened to stall the movie condemning Rajini’s remarks that Cauvery waters should be released to Tamil Nadu honouring the Cauvery Water Management Authority that would govern Cauvery water distribution between Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry.
Though the Karnataka High Court has directed provision of security to theatres screening ‘Kaala’, Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy said it would be better if the film was not screened, citing the emotive Cauvery issue.
Meanwhile, Rajinikanth, talking to reporters here on Wednesday appealed to Mr Kumaraswamy to provide security to theatres that would screen the film.
Rajinikanth said ‘I understand Mr Kumaraswamy’s situation. This is not good for Karnataka. When
the film is released around the world, the Karnataka ban would highlight the issue (Cauvery water dispute)’.
Stating that ‘Kaala’ has nothing to do with Cauvery, he appealed to the Karnataka film chamber, which had earlier banned screening of the film, to allow its release.
The Film Chambers was supposed to ensure that there was no problem for distributors.
He also said he spoke nothing wrong on the Cauvery issue and said it was not right to stop the movie’s release.
Meanwhile, sources said that Tamil Film producers Council President Vishal and actor Prakash Raj held discussions with their Karnataka counterparts to ensure smooth release of the film.
Sources said the talks would end on a positive note by this evening and the film would be screened
in about 130 theatres in Karnataka as scheduled tomorrow.
The South India Film Chamber of Commerce also shot off a letter to Karnataka Film Chamber to ensure that ‘Kaala’ was released as scheduled.
In Tamil Nadu ticket bookings were on at brisk pace and special shows have been lined up for early tomorrow morning.
Fans are delighted as this would be Rajini’s first film after he confirmed his entry to politics on New year eve and that he would contest all the 234 seats in the next Assembly elections.
Fans have decorated cinema halls in a grand manner. Posters, banners and festoons were seen in almost all the cinema halls, even as Rajini left for Dehradun to shoot for his next film, to be directed by Karthik Subbaraj.
UNI.
Comments are closed.