In the backdrop of protests, Kaala, starring Rajinikanth, is all set to be released on Thursday across Karnataka. The police, however, are on alert as various Kannada organisations are planning to take out a rally against the film and organise sit-in protests in front of theatres screening the film.
This film is being screened a day after Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said he had appealed to distributors to stall the release voluntarily. However, armed with the High Court order directing the government “to take adequate steps to ensure a peaceful atmosphere for the screening of the film”, distributors have decided to go ahead with the film’s release. Kannada organisations had called for a ban on the film after Rajinikanth made controversial remarks on the Cauvery dispute. Distributors had also given advertisements in Kannada eveningers on Wednesday listing theatres where the film would be screened in Bengaluru. However, online movie ticket platforms and theatres have yet to open bookings.
Kanakapura Srinivas, one of the distributors of the film in the State, told The Hindu that the film will be released in nearly 100 screens. “The police have promised us to provide security at all theatres where the film will be screened,” he said.
Vatal Nagaraj, president, Kannada Okkoota, an umbrella organisation of Kannada groups, said he would lead a protest march from the Town Hall to K.G. Road in Bengaluru. “I will myself lead protests at all major theatres in the city, stopping movie-goers from watching Kaala ,” he said. Expressing his displeasure over police protection for the film’s release, he said: “It is ironic that Karnataka police resources are being misused to protect anti-Kannada forces. Let them take private security, if need be.”
Bengaluru city Police Commissioner T. Suneel Kumar and Kamal Pant, ADGP, Law and Order, Karnataka, reiterated that the police would ensure that there are no untoward incidents and that movie-goers would not be hindered.
