BENGALURU: With just 24 hours to go for the superstar Rajinikanth’s Kabali to storm the screens across the globe, a section of the audience in Bengaluru who had booked ‘special’ tickets to experience Thalaiva’s return, are left disappointed as the city Deputy Commissioner on Wednesday rejected the plea of Kabali distributors to screen the movie in five-star hotels.
The film’s distributor for Karnataka, Mr Lahari Velu, said, “It was a wonderful plan which took two months to conceptualise. We had contacted the DC for permission, but we were told that no such permission was needed. We still wrote to him seeking permission. But it was only on Wednesday afternoon, we were told that our plea is cancelled as it cannot be granted as per a rule prescribed under the Cinematography Act.”
Well-known exhibitor K.V. Chandrashekar said that when they learnt about Kabali’s release in five-star hotels, they contacted the authorities, who told them that the permission was not sought in the prescribed format and the procedure was not followed which normally takes three to four months.
“We have nothing against any movie of any language, but our only concern is that those concerned should follow the rules. If anyone can get permission in just two to three days, the rules don’t serve any purpose,” he said.
The distributor who planned the star hotel screenings said that it was in the interest of the industry as it would have set a benchmark, making Bengaluru the first city to do it. “A commercial airline is charging thousands of rupees to fly Rajani fans from Bengaluru to Chennai for the screening of the movie. Can that be stopped,” asked Mr Velu. He clarified that they had obtained other requisite permission, including one from the tax department. “There was nothing illegal, and it was only aimed at benefiting the industry,” he said.
