Rajinikanth urges fans in Karnataka to not disrupt Kaala's release over Cauvery issue: I have done no wrong

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to provide security to theatres wanting to screen superstar Rajinikanth’s Kaala in Tamil and other versions from Thursday. However, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said it was not advisable to screen the film in view of the prevailing public sentiment against Rajinikanth’s views on the sensitive issue of Cauvery. “It is the government’s duty to respect the high court’s orders. However, in my personal opinion, as a Kannadiga, in such situation where there is opposition, it is ideal if they will not release the movie,” Kumaraswamy told reporters. [caption id=“attachment_4373227” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Rajinikanth in a still from Kaala. YouTube[/caption] _Also read: Kaala sees low advance booking for a Rajinikanth film; could muted buzz be due to his political statements?_ “I am also a film distributor and producer. Even if they release the movie, it will not be useful to them financially. After there is a solution to this (Cauvery) water issue, then they can release anytime”, he added. Meanwhile, Rajinikanth on Wednesday pleaded to his countrymen from Karnataka to not cause any disruptions and trouble movie-goers. “The Film Chambers is supposed to ensure that there’s no problem for distributors. It is not right that the Karnataka Film Chamber demands Kaala ban,” he  said.

To our Kannada brothers, I appeal to you, I have done no wrong. So for those who want to watch the film, please do not disrupt it. I humbly appeal to you to not trouble the film goers: Rajinikanth appeals in Kannada. #Kaala. #KaalaReleaseRow pic.twitter.com/de0aCpfm77

— News18 (@CNNnews18) June 6, 2018

Justice G Narendar’s interim order came on a petition filed on Monday by the film’s producer Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya, seeking its direction for police protection to exhibitors from pro-Kannada activists, who opposed the film’s screening to protest the megastar’s recent remarks on the sharing of the Cauvery river water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The petition referred to the 30 May statement by KFCC President Sa Ra Govindu that a decision was taken to not distribute or screen Kaala in the state in protest against Rajinikanth’s views on the Cauvery dispute, asking Karnataka to comply with the Supreme Court’s order on releasing the river water to Tamil Nadu. The 67-year-old superstar hails from Bengaluru where he was a conductor in the state-run public transport service in the city. He has also acted in many Kannada movies. Also read — Kaala: Tamil Nadu producers' guild president Vishal says protest against Rajinikanth's film sets a dangerous precedent With inputs from IANS