Concerned about 'Kaala' release in Karnataka, Rajinikanth writes to CM Kumaraswamy

In the movie, Rajinikanth plays a powerful don living in the slums of Mumbai’s Dharavi which has a strong Tamil population. "Kaala" also features veteran actor Nana Patekar and Huma Qureshi.

A still of Rajinkanth from the movie 'Kaala'.

BENGALURU:  Actor-turned-politician Rajinikanth has appealed to newly-elected Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to provide security to cinema halls in the state which will screen his film ‘Kaala’ tomorrow. Several pro-Kannada organisations on Tuesday met Kumaraswamy and urged him to allow defer the movie’s release in the state despite the Karnataka High Court's order. Kumaraswamy questioned the necessity of releasing Kaala movie in such a situation. "Is it necessary to release Rajinikanth's Kaala movie in Karnataka? As a Chief Minister, I will follow and obey the orders of High Court and Supreme Court but when it comes to any emotionally attached issue, as a Kannadiga, I will stand favour of the organisations and all Kannadigas. That's why personally I feel it's not necessary to release Kaala in Karnataka," he told news agency ANI. The Karnataka film fraternity is reportedly unhappy with the superstar's recent remarks on Cauvery water row. However, the Karnataka High Court has asked the state government to provide security to theatres wanting to release the film. Superstar Rajini has a strong fan following in Karnataka. Bengaluru itself has a large population of Tamils which account for more than a million. The 67-year-old superstar hails from Bengaluru where he was conductor in the state-run public transport service in the city. He also acted in Kannada movies apart from Hindi. In the movie, Rajinikanth plays a powerful don living in the slums of Mumbai’s Dharavi which has a strong Tamil population. "Kaala" also features veteran actor Nana Patekar and Huma Qureshi. Few days ago, Jawahar Nadar, the journalist son of a Mumbai-based godfather had served a legal notice on Rajinikanth. The Tamils living in Dharavi were at one point of time were living allegedly under the aegis of Thiraviam Nadar.