Upset with the interference of superstar turned politician Rajinikanth in the Cauvery water row, the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) has decided not to allow screening of his movie ‘Kaala’, due for release on June 7 as a mark of protest. According to Sa Ra Govindu President of KFCC the film industry is upset with Rajinikanth’s reported statement that whichever Government comes to power Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing. 

He said “A decision has been taken that Rajinikanth’s movie will neither be distributed nor screened anywhere in Karnataka.”

The KFCC president also said the ban on distribution and screening of Rajinikanth movies will continue. “The ban will remain because neither will he apologise for his statement nor are we going to pardon him,” Govindu said.

The superstar who hails from Karnataka has a great fan following in the State and the distributors for his film depend on Karnataka as a major revenue earning. Neta Rajnikanth has faced the wrath of pro Kannada outfits in the State and Chief Minister Kumaraswamy who is also a film producer has to deal with one more problem of resolving this crisis. The Government expects with the onset of early monsoon, the water from Cauvery can be released from the second week of June. Rajinikanth plays the role of a slumlord-turned-gangster in Kaala.

Theatre owners in Karnataka, too, have said that they will not screen the film in any theatre. Release of the Pa Ranjith directed Kaala was earlier deferred and was supposed to release on June 7 across Karnataka. However, as it is headed for a worldwide release, ‘Kaala’ may not see the light of the day in Karnataka.

Saurav Sharma, head of Goldie films that has acquired the distribution rights for ‘Kaala’ in Karnataka says considering the sentiments of the people of the State decided not to release the film.

Sa Ra Govindu said that the films of both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth will not be released in the State.

“They have made statements related to Cauvery that are unacceptable to the people of Karnataka. We don’t need their films. Kannadigas are upset with the actor’s statements and so in the interest of the State we are not releasing Kaala,” he said.

The Karnataka film chamber called for a meeting on Tuesday after several Kannada groups called for boycott of the film.