With the Tamil film industry gearing up to do its bit in the ongoing tussle between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka over the Hogenakal issue by holding a fast on Friday, the guessing game has started again over the participation of superstar Rajinikanth in the stir.

The South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce (SIFCC), spearheading the agitation, has asked all the artistes to take part in the fast organised to protest the attacks on cinemas screening Tamil movies in Bangalore. There was no word on whether Rajinikanth, a Maharashtrian of Karnataka origin, would participate in the agitation. He did not participate in a similar protest organised by the film industry in 2002 on the  Cauvery issue.

“The fast will begin at 8 am  on Friday and will continue till 6 pm. All the actors, technicians and others related with the Tamil film industry have been asked to participate in it,” Film Chamber chairman K R Gangadharan said.
Police protection has been strengthened for film stars Rajnikant and Arjun Sarja, who hail from Karnataka, and security provided to establishments owned by business houses from the neighbouring state.

Plainclothes police personnel have been posted outside the Poes Garden residence of Rajnikant. Policemen have been posted at the residence of Arjun in the Boat Club area here.

Besides, security had been provided to business establishments such as the Palmgrove Hotel, Sangeetha Group of Hotels, Drive-in Woodlands, Woodlands Hotel, Iyengar Bakery at Eldams Road and the Udipi hotels, police said.
Patrol teams would regularly monitor the areas and keep a vigil on the establishments. Four hotels and the Kannada Association office here have been attacked by different pro-Tamil groups in the last two days.