Actor Prakash Raj is known for voicing his opinions, and this time he has come out in support of Rajinikanth's Kaala which faces a ban on its release in Karnataka. Taking to Twitter on Monday, Prakash Raj slammed the Karnataka government for allowing fringe elements to take law into their hands.
The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) is upset with Rajinikanth's reported statement that whichever government comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing in toto. The chamber recently decided not to allow screening of his movie Kaala, due for release on June 7, in the state. Rajinikanth has often faced the wrath of pro-Kannada organisations for his comments on the Cauvery issue.
“What's film #kaala got to do with Kaveri issue..?” Prakash Raj said in his tweet. In a letter he posted on Twitter, the actor wrote:
“There is a deep bond between a man and a river. So when we talk of Cauvery, we 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.
A statement made by actor Rajinikant has hurt us deeply. Ye, I agree. In order to express our dissent a few organisations have called fora 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 na see it as a mark of their protest only then will we be able to gauge what people really want . But these fringe elements deciding on behalf of the people will not let us know it!
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 cam 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’s film #kaala got to do with Kaveri issue..?why is film fraternity targeted always..? Will Jds/congress government let fringe elements take law into their hands ...like bjp did with #Padmavat ..or ..will you step in to assure common man ..his right for choice.#justasking.. pic.twitter.com/VtNsXURHLD
— Prakash Raj (@prakashraaj) June 3, 2018
In recent times, Prakash Raj has made many controversial statements against the BJP government at the Centre, censorship, freedom of expression, communal politics and other issues. He concludes the letter: “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.”