Pro-Kannada outfits aiming for Karnataka bandh on Baahubali 2 release date

Mumbai: Sticking to their guns, pro-Kannada outfits today threatened they would not allow film ‘Baahubali 2: The Conclusion’ to release under ‘any circumstances’ unless actor Sathyaraj tendered unconditional apology for his ‘anti-Kannadiga’ remarks.

'Kannada Okoota', an umbrella organisation of Kannada bodies, has announced 'Bengaluru Bandh' on April 28, the date of release of the most anticipated Indian movie of the year, to protest the remarks of Sathyaraj, who plays the key character of 'Katappa' in the epic fantasy.

"The remarks made by Sathyaraj against Kannadigas during the Cauvery row (a few years ago) had crossed limits of decency. We will not allow the film to be released under any circumstances," Vatal Nagaraj, who heads Kannada Okoota, said.

Kannada activists would stop the release in every district, Nagaraj, also the leader of Kannada Chaluvali Vatal Paksha, a Kannada outfit, said.

"There is no scope for the release unless and until Sathyaraj tenders an unconditional apology," he said, adding, "The exhibitors will have to bear the consequences if they venture to screen the film."

The organisations were not against the film as such, but opposed to Sathyaraj's remarks, he said.

Nagaraj said Kannada activists would stage a protest march on April 28 in Bengaluru and have sought the support of Kannada litterateurs for it.

Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President and Kannada activist Sa Ra Govindu said Sathyaraj had hurt the ‘self-respect’ of Kannadigas and there was no going back on stalling the release of the film till he apologised for making ‘provocative anti-Kannadiga remarks.’

Karnataka Rakshna Vedike President Pravinkumar Shetty said the release would not be allowed to take place anywhere in Karnataka, as it involved "self-respect" of Kannadigas.