Everything to know about Rajinikanth’s Kaala ban controversy in Karnataka

Actor Rajinikanth’s comments on decades-old festering Cauvery dispute has cast an uncertainty over the June 7 release of his latest film Kaala in Karnataka.

Rajinikanth, who announced his entry to politics in December last year, asked Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to release Tamil Nadu its share of the water as mandated by the Supreme Court.

“The Cauvery Management Board should be formed as soon as possible. If the Centre does not do that, it may face the wrath of entire Tamil Nadu,” he said in April.

Pro-Kannada groups have been protesting the film’s release as they say they were offended by Rajinikanth’s comments about Kannadigas during the protests over the Cauvery river waters.

Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha president Vatal Nagaraj, who is leading the protest against Kaala, has sought an apology from the superstar.

“We will not allow the release of any old or new films of Rajinikanth and Kamal Hassan until they apologise and withdraw their remarks, which are against our interests in the sharing of the Cauvery water with Tamil Nadu and other states,” Nagaraj was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce also supported the protests. While they did not ban Kaala, they did say that releasing the film at this time might not be a good idea.

“We will not be responsible for any damage caused to theatres and cinema halls if they want to screen Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan films,” the chamber’s president Sa Ra Govindu said.

Saurav Sharma, the distributor of the film in Karnataka also backed out, saying there was no solution to the problem in sight before the film’s scheduled release.

“We held discussions with the film chamber. The chamber has asked all its members to not release the film in the state. We have voluntarily decided not to release the film considering the sentiments of the people in the state. From what we see, it doesn’t look like this issue is going to be resolved before the movie releases,” Sharma earlier told IBTimes.

Producer Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya Rajinikanth then filed a petition with the Karnataka high court to seek the release of Kaala in the state and security for those who would come to the theatres to watch the film.

The high court on Wednesday asked the state to provide security to the centres screening the movie. However, chief minister Kumarasamy said the makers of the film should avoid releasing it in the state “considering the situation”.

“It is the government’s duty to respect the high court’s orders. However, my personal opinion, as a Kannadiga, in such situation where there is opposition, it is ideal if they will not release the movie,” he said hours after the high court’s order.

Rajinikanth is hopeful that Kaala would not face any issues in Karnataka.

“Not just Tamil people in Karnataka, but people who speak other languages also wish to watch the movie. I believe the Karnataka government will provide adequate protection to theatres and audience,” Rajnikanth told reporters.

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