Supreme Court refuses to put stay on the release of Rajnikanth's Kaala

In its ruling on a petition to stay the movie's release, the apex court said, “Everybody is anxiously waiting for the release of the movie. We don’t want to interfere with its release.”

Rajinikanth had on Tuesday evening appealed to Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to provide necessary security at theatres.

‘Kaala’ has been facing protests from pro-Kannada groups, who called for a ban on the film in the state. The makers approached the Karnataka High Court which noted that nobody can force an exhibitor to screen or not screen the film.

Several pro-Kannada groups threatened to stall the film if it is screened. Even the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce had banned the film in the state.

Meanwhile,  Chief Minister  HD Kumaraswamy said makers of the movie should avoid releasing it in the state “considering the situation”.

Kumaraswamy said, “It is the government’s duty to respect the high court’s orders. However, my personal opinion, as a Kannadiga, in such situation where there is opposition, it is ideal if they will not release the movie.”

Citing an instance two years ago, when Kannada movie ‘Nagarahavu’ was allegedly pulled from movie halls in Tamil Nadu despite it being dubbed in Tamil, Kumaraswamy said Kannada movies were being discriminated against.

“As a government, we will take all necessary measures, but if some organisations protest and because of this people don’t turn up, under such circumstances, and when they don’t allow our movies to be released, I feel they should not release the movie,” Kumaraswamy said.

On Tuesday,  the Karnataka high court directed the producers of the film, Wunderbar Films, to furnish a list of theatres where the movie would be screened in the state so that adequate police protection could be ensured.

Protests against the film erupted following  Rajinikanth’s controversial statements on the Cauvery water sharing issue between the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Rajinikanth had suggested last month that the new government in Karnataka should fully comply with the Supreme Court’s mandate on the issue.