Prakash Raj Opposes ‘Kaala’ Ban in Karnataka, Questions Intent

Raj said fringe groups have no right to decide what the majority of Kannadigas want or don’t want.

Prakash Raj questions the repeated targeting of the film industry.

(Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

Actor Prakash Raj has voiced his opinion on the ban called by pro-Kannada organisations on the  film Kaala in Karnataka, saying that these fringe groups have no right to decide what the majority of Kannadigas want or don’t want.

The actor took to Twitter and said the Cauvery issue is an emotive one for the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu but getting emotional does not solve the issue, rather we need to be practical about it.

He wrote,

There is a deep bond between man and a river. So when we talk of Cauvery we do 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 (sic).

He added that the respective state governments along with the Centre, should sit with specialists who understand the issue of farmers and should find a solution.

...if they fail to do so, our fight should be towards making them accountable and answerable and not become victims of our own emotions.

Prakash Raj

Questioning the possible outcome of this ban, Raj said

A statement made by actor Rajinikanth has hurt us deeply. Yes, I agree. In order to express our dissent, a few organisations have called for a 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 not to see it as a mark of their protest only then will 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?

The actor went on to ask about what would happen to the producer’s investment in the film as well as the effort of hundreds of artistes and technicians who have worked on it.

What about the producer’s investment, one who has nothing to do with the statement of this actor? What about the talent and effort 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, those who run canteens in theatres? What about the distributors, investors and theatre owners and the thousands of those whose lives depend on them? 

Prakash Raj

Worried about the hate mongering, Raj stressed that after misusing our emotions, these fringe elements will wait for another opportunity to strike again and create further chaos and in the end, it is we who will be hit and the ones to have to live with our own wounds.

The actor concluded by saying,

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 rest I leave to your conscience.

The Confederation of pro-Kannada organisations called for a ban on Kaala due to the statements by actor Rajinikanth on the Cauvery issue.

(This story has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)