Bengaluru: A day after director S.S. Rajamouli distanced himself from the controversial statements made by Tamil actor Sathyaraj on the Cauvery issue and Kannadigas, the actor on Friday released a video message on his twitter account, expressing regret for his comments made during a Cauvery protest nine years ago.
The actor said: “It was nine years ago when I made those statements during the protests held by various associations including the Tamil film industry in response to the remarks made against people of Tamil Nadu by several pro Kannada organisations. Several Kannada organisations including the Kannada film industry had called for a ban on Tamil films in Karnataka, and had even burnt effigies. This is when I made the statements along with other Tamil.”
He further said that he was neither against Kannadigas nor Karnataka, adding that he had heard about how his statements had led to a lot of tension among the people of Karnataka. “I am not against Kanadigas or Karnataka. The biggest example of this is that for the last 30 years, my assistant is Shekar, a Kannadiga. I am a small worker in Bahubali and my comment should not affect the film.”
The actor also revealed that he was offered to work in Kannada films in the past but due to his busy schedule he could not take up any films. However, he made it clear that he will continue to lend his voice for the welfare of Tamilians and Tamil Nadu, be it Cauvery or any other issue.
“If any producer or director looks at me as a liability after this controversy, I request them to not cast me in their films,” the actor said while appealing for the smooth release of Baahubali 2 on April 28.
Meanwhile, the Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) president Sa Ra Govind told Deccan Chronicle that all concerned organisations will hold a meeting on Saturday. After careful consideration of the actor’s video apology, they will take a unanimous stand on whether to allow the release of the movie Bahubali 2, he said.
