'Kaala' should be released in Karnataka: Rajinikanth

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth on Wednesday appealed to the people of Karnataka to ensure release of his movie “Kaala” in theatres across the state and asserted that his comments on Cauvery issue were not “wrong.”

Rajinikanth, who commands massive fan following in almost all South Indian states, also criticised the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce for being on the side of the fringe groups that have called for a ban on Kaala in the state.

“Some people in Karnataka are opposing the release of Kaala and I want to tell them very clearly that my statements on Cauvery were a mere reiteration of what the Supreme Court had said. I had demanded Cauvery Management Board to be formed and all dams should come under its control and this is what the court also said,” the actor told reporters at his Poes Garden residence here.

“Please don’t think we are hell-bent on releasing the film only in Karnataka, it is going to open in theatres across the world and if the movie is not released only in Karnataka it would not be good for the state,” he said.

Making an appeal in Kannada, Rajinikanth reiterated that his statement on Cauvery was “not wrong” and that people of Karnataka should allow the release of Kaala in the state in the interests of people who are eager to watch.

The actor said he was surprised at the actions of the KFCC which was trying to support the protesters and prevent release of Kaala in the state.

“It is really surprising. The job of the film chamber is to ensure that producers, distributors and those involved in films are affected,” he said.

The actor also hoped that Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy will allow the release of the movie and provide security to theatres screening it. “I understand the situation Kumaraswamy finds himself in,” he said.

Producers of Kaala told DH on Tuesday that they are determined to release the much-awaited movie in nearly 300 screens across Karnataka after the High Court asked the police to provide security to movie halls.