Actor Rajinikanth (file image) Actor Rajinikanth has appealed to people of Karanataka to allow the release of his latest film ‘Kaala’ after the state government banned its release. #BREAKING Ahead of Kaala release, actor Rajinikanth appeals to fans in Kannada, says ‘have approached state govt, hope film releases with security’ #KaalaBlackOut pic.twitter.com/Ea96UUvCAy — TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 6, 2018 According to a Times Now report, the actor has approached the state government on the matter and asked for the film to be released with the required security measures in place. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce disallowed the film’s release after Rajinikanth’s remarks on Cauvery water issues. The actor asked the new government in Karnataka to give Tamil Nadu its share of Cauvery river water as mandated by the Supreme Court verdict. In response, the Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy invited Rajinikanth to see the situation for himself, after which he would change his stand. "If there is water in Karnataka it is possible for us to give them water. I request Rajinikanth, please come and see the situation in our dams, what has happened to our farmers. After seeing that, if you (Rajinikanth) still want water, let's discuss," Kumaraswamy said. The Karnataka High Court directed the state government on Tuesday to provide the necessary security for peaceful release 'Kaala', which pro-Kannada outfits had threatened to stall over the actor's reported remarks on the Cauvery row. Kumaraswamy further requested the distributor of Rajinikanth-starrer Kaala not to release it in "this kind of atmosphere", but said the government would follow the High Court order on the issue. "According to my observation as an individual, not a chief minister, as a Kannaidaga....I request the producer or distributor of the movie, in this kind of atmosphere, it is not good on their part to release the movie," "Even if they release the movie... I know... I'm an experienced person.... basically I am also a film distributor and producer. It will not be useful to them financially.<doc-sep>The Karnataka High Court has directed the local State Government to provide security to theaters which are screeningin Karnataka. Following the order, multiplexes in Bengaluru have opened the bookings which mean all issues cleared for the Rajinikanth starrer in Karnataka. The plea was filed by Dhanush’s Wunderbar Films, producer of Earlier, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce decided to not release Kaala. Kannadiga outfits pressurized the distributors to not associate with the producers of Rajinikanth film as the actor spoke in support for the Cauvery Management Board which is against the interest of Karnataka farmers.<doc-sep>Rajinikanth’s Kaala will hit the screens on June 7. Rajinikanth’s Kaala will hit the screens on June 7. As Rajinikanth’s film Kaala is facing an imminent ban in Karnataka, the Superstar has confidently stated that the film will not have issues in the state. He further took on allegations of people opting to not screen the movie by saying that the audience definitely wants to see it. “I don’t think Kaala will face any issues in Karnataka. Not just Tamil people in Karnataka, but people who speak other languages also wish to watch the movie. I believe Karnataka government will provide adequate protection to the theatres and audience,” he said meeting the press on Monday in Chennai. Earlier the vice president of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had stated that they aren’t against the release of Kaala. “When distributors are not ready to bring Kaala to Karnataka and exhibitors are not ready to screen it here what can we do. We held a meeting with distributors and exhibitors asking them to screen Kaala. But they refused, fearing a backlash from pro-Kannada groups. We even tried to convince pro-Kannada activists in vain,” said Umesh Banakar. But now, actor-producer Dhanush who is bankrolling Kaala has sought the courts to intervene and resolve the situation. Dhanush has filed a writ seeking the court to direct the state and the film chamber to allow the smooth release of the film. The plea also sought security for movie-goers, directors, producers and the cast of Kaala at theatres in Karnataka. While Prakash Raj has spoken in favour of the film, Kamal Haasan has received flak for not actively speaking up for Kaala’s release. Kamal who met Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy on Monday said that they did not discuss the controversy around Kaala at all. “Not a word was spoken about that. There are film chambers and business community who will take care of it (Kaala issue). And we (Kumaraswamy and Kamal) will see that good relationship exists between both the states. This is more important than movies if you ask me.” Notably, Rajini had backed Kamal when his film Vishwaroopam faced a ban in Tamil Nadu due to protesting Muslim groups. Helmed by Pa Ranjith, Kaala will hit the screens on June 7.<doc-sep>About the ongoing protests against Kaala, actor Prakash Raj opined that Rajinikanth's film should not be targeted, for it involves the hard work of numerous technicians and a huge investment made by the producer. Actor Prakash Raj, who has been an extremely vocal proponent of the BJP government, has now put forth pertinent questions to the incumbent Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka for banning the release of Superstar Rajinikanth's Kaala in the state. Prakash Raj asked whether 'the Congress-JD(S) government will let fringe groups take the law into their own hands like what BJP did with Padmaavat or step in and resolve the issue to ensure a smooth release for Kaala.' "What's Kaala got to do with Cauvery? There is a deep bond between man and a river. So when we talk of Cauvery we do get extremely emotional about it. This is true of people from both states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu where emotions run high when we try to find a solution to share water. But getting emotional does not solve an issue; we need to be practical about it too," he said. Read: Rajinikanth's Kaala will not release in Karnataka over Cauvery issue; Kamal Haasan's Vishwaroopam 2 could face similar ban Raj also opined how the central and state government should find a proper solution to the issue by dialogue without falling prey to emotions. "The two respective state governments, the Centre along with specialists who understand the issue of our farmers, water sharing, and nature, should sit together and find a solution. Due to political reasons and unseen pressures, if they fail to do so, our fight should be towards making them accountable and answerable and not become victims of our own emotions," he added. While Prakash Raj, like the fringe groups, agreed that Rajinikanth's remarks on the Cauvery issue had hurt the sentiments of Kannadigas, he also argued why Kaala should not be targeted, for it involves the hard work of numerous technicians and a huge investment made by the producer. "Let's for a moment ponder what we would achieve by stopping the release of the movie Kaala. A statement made by actor Rajinikanth has hurt us deeply. Yes, I agree. In order to express our dissent, a few organizations have called for a ban on the film. Is that what we Kannadigas want? We don't know, and we will never know. If the film is released and people decide not to see it as a mark of their protest only then we will be able to gauge what people really want. But these fringe elements deciding on behalf of the people will not let us know it," he argued. Asking a series of sensible questions, Raj pointed out how the ban on Kaala could result in chaos and disrupt the harmony between the people of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. "Who are these people to decide what most Kannadigas want or don't want? What about the producer's investment, one who has nothing to do with the statement of this actor? What about the talent and efforts of hundreds of technicians, co-artistes, and workers who have been employed and associated with the film? What will be the plight of those who make a living out of sticking film posters, running cycle stands, to those who run canteens in theatres? What about the distributors, investors and theatre owners and the thousands of those whose lives depend on them? And what about the lakhs and lakhs of cinema lovers because of whom, all these people earn a living? What about the price that a common man has to pay for this strife and chaos? It has led to burnt vehicles, damaged property, children unable to attend school, the list never ends. What about the harmony between people which will be disturbed and destroyed by such incidents inciting hatred among one another in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu?" he asked. He further added: "Where will these fringe elements go after misusing our emotions? They will wait for another opportunity to strike again and create further chaos. In the end, it is we who will be hit and the ones to have to live with our own wounds." He also said how he could be labelled as an anti-Kannadiga for raising these important questions candidly. "My #justasking will open avenues for debates, and I will not be surprised if a few end up calling me anti-Kannadiga. We have seen in the recent past that people have called me anti-Hindu and an anti-national as well because I expressed my opinion. However, that does not stop me from saying what I have to say and the rest I leave to your conscience," he said on a concluding note. While Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce maintains that the state's distributors and theatre owners are not willing to release the film fearing the wrath of pro-Kannada outfits, Film Federation of India has sought the intervention of South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. Suresh, president of SIFCC, has said that KFCC will hold a meeting with pro-Kannada organizations and distributors today or tomorrow to the take final call. Kaala releases worldwide on 7 June in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi.<doc-sep>
As the debate over the release of Rajinikanth's Kaala intensifies, Karnataka High Court has said that it will not interfere in the ban imposed on the film by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce As the debate over the release of Rajinikanth's Kaala intensifies, Karnataka High Court has said that it will not interfere in the ban imposed on the film by Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC). The KFCC had decided not to screen Kaala after multiple local organisations demanded a ban on the film following the actor's comments on the Cauvery issue. According to India Today TV reports, the HC has ruled out that the state must provide security to theatre owners and that the film. The lawyers representing the film have been asked to compile a list of theatres in the state which might need special protection. Karnataka High Court refuses to intervene in 'Kaala' movie ban, asks lawyers representing 'Kaala' to provide details of theaters to the State which is then bound to provide security. pic.twitter.com/e9jZg2ncvB — ANI (@ANI) June 5, 2018 Although Kaala is scheduled to release worldwide on 7 June, the KFCC had said the film would be neither distributed nor screened in the state. After the KFCC announced the decision to not let the film release, Kaala producer Dhanush and his wife Aishwarya filed a petition in the Karnataka HC. In the plea, Dhanush, who is Rajinikanth's son-in-law, submitted that it is the fundamental right of the petitioners under the Constitution to exhibit the film.