Kuselan released in Karnataka after Rajnikant’s apology

Tamil actor Rajnikant’s latest film Kuselan was released across theatres in Bangalore after the matinee idol apologized to the people of Karnataka for hurting their sentiments.

However, high drama preceded the much-awaited release of the film with pro-Kannada groups staging a demonstration in front of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce on Thursday and refusing to allow the screening of the movie till Rajnikant apologizes for the “anti-Kannadiga” remarks he reportedly made during the Hogenakkal dispute that had arisen between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu a few months ago.

But, the pro-Kannada groups withdrew their protest after Rajnikant’s televised apology was shown on Kannada news channels on Thursday evening. “By expressing his regret, Rajnikant has showed his greatness. We no longer oppose the release”, said Narayana Gowda, President of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, which has been in the vanguard of the protests against the screening of Kuselan in the state.

The pro-Kannada groups had been nursing a strong grudge against Rajnikant for giving a call to “kick” the Kannada activists opposing the Hogenakkal drinking water project. Rajnikant had made these remarks during a day-long demonstration over Hogenakkal issue held in Chennai during the first week of April this year.

After pro-Kannada groups adopted an aggressive stand and refused to allow the release of his film, Rajnikant, in an interview to television channels, admitted that he had committed a mistake. “I will think ten times before speaking at any function. It was a big mistake. I will be careful while speaking in future and see that I don’t hurt anybody”, Rajnikant said.

Soon after the interview was telecast, the Kannada activists, who had gathered in front of Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce office in Bangalore burning effigies of Rajnikant and shouting slogans against him, announced the withdrawal of their protest against the release of Kuselan.

The film was released across 14 theatres in Bangalore on Friday to packed houses amidst tight security.

The release of the film as scheduled brought smiles on the large number of Tamils residing in Bangalore and different parts of Karnataka. A day ahead of the film’s scheduled release on Friday, special shows had been organized for Rajnikant’s fans in two different theatres in Bangalore on Thursday.

Additional Commissioner of Police, Bangalore, M R Pujar said the City police had made elaborate security arrangements for the release of the Tamil film in Bangalore.