Protests hit 'Kaala' release, but some theatres hold screening

Protests were staged against the screening of Rajinikanth-starrer Tamil movie ‘Kaala’ at many places in the state on Thursday.

The screening of ‘Kaala’ was halted in Ballari, Raichur, Sindhanur and Manvi taluks of Raichur district, following protests by Kannada organisations on Thursday.

The activists barged inside Sangameshwar theatre in Sindhanur and tore Rajnikanth’s posters. They also threw black ink on the posters.

Padmanabh theatre in Raichur cancelled the screening in the wake of protests in the state. Tickets had already been sold and the audience was thronging the theatre in large numbers. In Manvi, Kannada activists submitted a memorandum to the tahsildar against screening the movie.

In Ballari, Jana Sainya members staged a protest against screening the flick in Radhika theatre. The police rushed to the spot and detained the protesters. Despite the protests, the screening is likely to be held in the evening under police protection.

‘Kaala’ did not make it to the single screens in Belagavi district, but one multiplex was prepared to screen it.

Single screens, anticipating backlash and protests from Kannada activists, did not announce screening of the film. Inox multiplex informed that they were screening the film. Carnival Multiplex gave no information about the screening.

Kaala movie was screened peacefully in Kalaburagi. The Telugu and Hindi versions of the movie were screened in three multiplexes—Miraj Cinemas, Mukta A2 Cinemas and Shetty’s Multiplex. ASP Lokesh B J said police security was provided at all the three multiplexes.

The movie was released at DRC Cinemas at BM Habitat Mall in Mysuru. The movie received an overwhelming response from the people as all the four shows were house-full. The police had intensified security near the mall.

However, other theatre owners in the city have decided not to release the movie, according to sources. In Mandya, members of Kadamba Sene staged a protest against Rajinikanth and actor Prakash Rai over their statements on the Cauvery row.

The flick was successfully screened in two multiplexes in Mangaluru. Though Karnataka Rakshana Vedike had issued a press release, saying they will not allow release of the movie, the movie was screened at Bharath Cinemas in Bejai and PVR Cinemas at Forum Fiza Mall, without any problem.

DH News Service