BENGALURU: Despite opposition from pro-Kannada outfits, Rajinikanth’s Tamil film ‘Kaala’ will see a full-fledged release in Karnataka in about 250 theatres across the state, including multiplexes. All the theatres will be provided security by the police to prevent pro-Kannada organizations from targeting them.
Amid the growing clamor by pro-Kannada groups against the film’s release, Karnataka Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said though it was his government’s responsibility to ensure its smooth screening, he once again advised the distributers to delay it till the Cauvery dispute was resolved.
Meanwhile, the filmstar, who enjoys a cult following in South India and among the Indian diaspora from southern states, made a desperate, last gasp attempt to reach out to pro-Kannada outfits opposed to the release, insisting he had done “no wrong” and requesting them not to thwart its screening.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea by K.S. Rajashekaran for injunction against Kaala’s release over alleged copyright violations.
While, in Tamil Nadu Rajinikanth has a huge fan following, his films in Kerala are no less than a festival.
Despite the film having weathered many storms regarding its release in Karnataka, a Kerala based IT company has reportedly declared a holiday for all its employees on the release day of Kaala to honour the superstar.
Several film critics have admitted the fact the there has been a drop in the ticket sales for Kaala. Many blame the trend on his political statements and the low-key movie promotions.
For a die-hard Rajini fan, however, all these controversies are nothing of a concern .”We have been waiting for a Rajinikanth movie for such a long time. Even if the celebrations are a bit less we have come to watch the movie early morning itself. I could not get the ticket for the first show but will see the next show at any cost,” says Naveen Krishnan, a final year UG student based in Thiruvananthapuram.
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