Rajinikanth responds to CM's appeal to not release Kaala in Karnataka

The newly appointed chief minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy’s tryst with controversy continues. On the day the Karnataka high court ordered the state government to ensure adequate security to the theatres screening Rajinikanth's Kaala, the CM has advised its makers not release the film in the state. 

However, he also added that he is making this appeal as a Kannadiga and not as the CM of Karnataka. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had earlier banned the film in Karnataka following Rajinikanth's views on the Cauvery water issue. Rajinikanth had said he is “disappointed” by the Supreme Court's recent verdict calling Cauvery river a national asset and not any one state's property.

Speaking to the media, Kumaraswamy said, “As a CM, I have to implement direction of the high court. It’s my responsibility. As an individual, as a Kannadiga, I request the producer of the movie that in this atmosphere, it is not good on their part to release the movie.” 

Kumaraswamy, also a film producer and distributor, believes the film won’t succeed at the box office in state. “As a producer and distributor, I can say that even if they release the movie, it won’t be useful to them financially,” he added. 

Actor Rajinikanth soon responded to Kumaraswamy’s comments. “I understand HD Kumaraswamy's situation. This is not good for Karnataka. When the film is released around the world, the Karnataka ban would highlight the issue [Cauvery dispute]," he said in a media statement. 

The actor also said that it is KFCC's duty to ensure the film is released. “The Film Chambers [sic] is supposed to ensure that there's no problem for distributors. It is not right that the Karnataka Film Chamber demands Kaala ban,” he added.