Actor Prakash Raj said that although Rajinikanth’s speech hurt Kannadigas banning a big film like Kaala would affect producer and the hard work of thousands of people.
“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? There is a deep bond between man and a river. So when we talk of Cauvery we do get extremely emotional about it. This is true of people from both states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu where emotions run high when we , to find a solution to share water. But getting emotional does not solve an issue: we need to be practical about it too. The two respective state governments, the Centre along with specialists who understand the issue of our farmers , water sharing and nature, should sit together and find a solution. Due to political reasons and unseen pressures if they fail to do so, our fight should be towards making them accountable and answerable and not become victims of our own emotions.. Let’s for a moment ponder what we would achieve by stopping the release of the movie Kaala”, asked Prakash Raj.
“ 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 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 !mow 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 about the harmony between people which will be disturbed and destroyed by such incidents inciting hatred among one another in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu? Where will these fringe elements go after misusing our emotion s? They will wait for another opportunity to strike again and create further chaos. In the end, it is we who will be hit and the ones to have to live with our own wounds. My #justasking will open avenues for debates, and I will not be surprised if a few end up calling me anti-Kannadiga. 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”, he added.
