Read AlsoKaala Movie Review FacebookTwitterPintrest Single screen theatres and multiplexes were reluctant to screen superstar Rajinikanth’s much-awaited ‘ Kaala ’ following stiff protests from pro-Kannadiga groups. According to recent reports, it looks like ‘ Kaala ’ is finally hitting the screens in Karnataka from today. Apparently, few multiplexes screened ‘Kaala’ on its opening day, despite oppositions.‘Kaala’ landed in a huge controversy in Karnataka after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce proposed a ban on the Rajinikanth-starrer in the state. The Chamber stated that Rajinikanth’s statement on the Cauvery issue reportedly hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas.In fact, the Chief Minister of Karnataka HD Kumaraswamy also went on the record saying that it was not advisable to release ‘Kaala’ in the state following stiff protests. Reports also said that the distributor’s office in Karnataka was attacked.Despite all issues, ‘Kaala’ has opened to an overwhelming response from critics and audience alike. Though the film recorded very low bookings online, the Rajinikanth-starrer is being celebrated by fans across the state.Directed by Pa Ranjith, ‘Kaala’ will see Rajinikanth playing a gangster once again on screen. Produced by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films, ‘Kaala’ also stars Nana Patekar, Pankaj Tripathi , Samuthirakani, Huma Qureshi and Easwari Rao in supporting roles.<doc-sep>By Express News Service BENGALURU: Despite opposition from pro-Kannada outfits, Rajinikanth’s Tamil film ‘Kaala’ will see a full-fledged release on Friday 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 organisations from targeting them. Uncertainty persists over the film’s initially scheduled release on Thursday though there are plans to release the film in about 100 theatres. But providing the list of theatres to the police for security and signing agreements with theatre owners about the release will take time, which is why the film’s booking has not yet appeared on the BookMyShow app. Producer and distributor Kanakapura Srinivas has bought the distribution rights of the film in Karnataka. Confirming the release plan, Srinivas said, “Yes, ‘Kaala’ will release in 100 theatres on Thursday and on Firday, it will see a full-fledged release in approximately 250 theatres. We are signing an agreement with owners of theatres and multiplexes who are willing to screen ‘Kaala’. The list of theatres will later be sent to the police commissioner for security at these theatres. The tedious process is happening at the last minute. I will get a clear picture on the exact number of theatres only on Thursday.” The film’s distributors are still in talks with exhibitors since Wednesday night for confirmation. But many are still wary of screening the film, fearing violence from groups seeking ban on ‘Kaala’ in the state. Praveen Shetty of Kannada Rakshana Vedike and members of other pro-Kannada groups have told KFCC they will protest against the film’s release, even if it led to their arrests. Senior police officials said they received an initial list of theatres where ‘Kaala’ will be screened. “Besides civil policemen, platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police and City Armed Reserve forces will be deployed. Malls, where multiplexes are located, will get more security as a large number of audience are expected to watch the movie. Security for single-screen theatres will be decided on their location.”<doc-sep>Kaala Release: The Rajinikanth film opened in theatres to packed shows early morning. Here are the Live updates of Kaala movie release: Jun 07, 2018 15:47 (IST) Pro Kannada organisations had protested against the release of the film after Rajinikanth's comments on the sharing of Cauvery waters - a troublesome issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The protestors gathered at Orion Mall in Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru and raised slogans and waved flags before being bundled away by police. Pro Kannada organisations had protested against the release of the film after Rajinikanth's comments on the sharing of Cauvery waters - a troublesome issue between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The protestors gathered at Orion Mall in Yeshwantpur in Bengaluru and raised slogans and waved flags before being bundled away by police. Jun 07, 2018 11:49 (IST) Kaala Releases Amid Fan Frenzy, No Show In Karnataka: 10 Facts Superstar-politician Rajinikanth's film "Kaala" was released today across the country, except Karnataka. Pro-Kannada activists have called for a ban and threatened to disrupt screenings in the state Jun 07, 2018 08:01 (IST) In Rajinikanth's "Kaala" Release, HD Kumaraswamy's First Test "Kaala" is facing the anger of pro-Kannada groups who have threatened to disrupt screenings if the movie releases despite a ban by a Karnataka film body. Jun 07, 2018 07:56 (IST) Fans offer milk to Rajnikanth's poster, burst crackers as they gather in large numbers to to watch the film Kaala at a theatre in Chennai. Jun 07, 2018 07:46 (IST) A Japanese couple has flown all the way from Osaka to Chennai to watch Kaala first day first show. Jun 07, 2018 07:42 (IST) Fans outside a theatre in Chennai at 4.15 am cheering for Rajinikanth - some wearing customized Kaala t-shirts. Jun 07, 2018 07:36 (IST) Rajinikanth fans queue up in large numbers outside Mumbai's Carnival Cinemas to see his latest movie 'Kaala'. Jun 07, 2018 07:34 (IST) Around 600 screens will show Kaala across Tami Nadu and 120 theaters will show Kaala in Chennai and Chengalpet. Jun 07, 2018 07:32 (IST) In Chennai hundreds of fans gathered for the first day first show as early as 4 am. Superstar-politician Rajinikanth's film 'Kaala movie' was released across the country today, a day after the Supreme Court refused to stop its screening. Pro-Kannada groups had appealed against the film's release, upset with Rajinikanth over his comments on the Cauvery river dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 'Kaala's' release in Karnataka comes as the first big test for the new chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, who had said the film should not be released in his state "in the present situation".Around 600 screens will show 'Kaala' across Tamilnadu and 120 theaters will show Kaala in Chennai and Chengalpet.<doc-sep>BENGALURU: Fear of vandalism trumped a Karnataka high court order and a fervent appeal from the ‘super star’ himself, as the Rajinikanth-starrer Kaala was screened only in some theaters in the city and pockets of the state on Thursday. About 6,000 police personnel were posted on security duty at theatres in Bengaluru, yet none of them scheduled a morning show of the film , leaving hundreds of fans disappointed and angry.Some of the anger dissipated by the afternoon in Bengaluru as screens operated by Inox Cinemas screened the film. Lido had a 2.35pm show, while the one in Garuda had a 3.20pm show. Inox staffers revealed that the shows “ran to a full house” and the audience “enjoyed the film”. More than 20 screens in Mangaluru and another 10 across other districts screened the movie, but there was little cheer for Rajini fans and cinemagoers in most of the other districts.R S Srinivas, the movie’s distributor in Karnataka (except Ballari), told TOI: “It is disappointing that there were no morning shows, but theatres began screening the film in the afternoon. By end of day we had about 50 screens and we are confident of another 125 screens showing it from tomorrow (Friday) morning.” Srinivas could not immediately share box office collection figures.In Bengaluru alone, 35 platoons of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), 25 platoons of City Armed Reserve (CAR) and a little more than 4,000 city police personnel were pressed into action to ensure no untoward incident occurred, especially in the backdrop of the high court direction to the state government to provide protection to theatres and cinemagoers.Still, exhibitors, especially single-screen owners, refrained from screening the film even in the evening, while the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) continued to claim that it had not ordered “a ban on the film”.“It is not just about the incidents that can happen outside,” one exhibitor said. “We were concerned about the damage that they could cause inside the theatre .”Hundreds of fans and cinemagoers had reached theatres early in the morning, assuming that the movie would be screened after the high court order. Pro-Kannada activists put paid to those assumptions as they gathered outside several theatres in the morning and exhibitors canceled shows.Activists also staged a protest outside Town Hall here, and demanded that the movie be banned. The police took dozens of protesters including their leader Vatal Nagaraj into custody. They were released later.“How many days can the police keep arresting us and where will they take us? We will return to protest,” a defiant Nagaraj warned.Srinivas claimed Mangaluru had the most shows and exuded confidence of the film picking up steam over the next few days.<doc-sep>
The first show of "Kaala"was at 4 am at a theatre in Chennai, elsewhere it was around 7 am. In Mumbai, where the monsoon is expected to hit today, neither rain nor the early morning chill could deter fans. Distributors in Karnataka played safe despite clearance from the high court and an order to the state government to ensure security at theatres that chose to screen the movie. Outside Bengaluru's Balaji theatre, fans gathered in the morning, demanding that the movie be released. "Kaala" is facing the anger of pro-Kannada groups, who threatened to disrupt screenings if the movie was released despite a ban by a Karnataka film body. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy was seen as backing the groups, when he said it was his "individual opinion" that it was better to delay the release. The Supreme Court refused to defer the release of the movie. Dismissing a petition on Tuesday, the judges said, "Everybody is waiting for the film to be released. We don't want to interfere with its release". Asked about the ban, director Pa. Rajith said, "Everybody has a space to speak out. There are several bad films that being released. So, banning a film like "Kaala" that talks about the problems of the people is sad. This situation should change." Rajinikanth had appealed to Mr Kumaraswamy to facilitate the film's release by providing security at movie theatres. The actor, who is from Karnataka, said in Kannada: "I understand HD Kumaraswamy's situation. This is not good for Karnataka. When the film is released around the world, the ban would highlight the issue (Cauvery water dispute)." Last month, after the Congress government of Siddaramaiah was voted out of power in Karnataka, Rajinikanth had reportedly said no matter which government takes over, Karnataka should release Cauvery waters for Tamil Nadu. Mr Kumaraswamy urged Rajinikanth to visit the state and see the condition of farmers and the water level in the dams before commenting on the matter. The 765-km Cauvery river, also called the Ganga of the south, is the lifeline for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Disputes over the distribution of its water between the two states have prevailed for decades.