Bengaluru: Within hours of controversial Tamil actor Sathyaraj expressing regret over his statements made almost a decade ago during a Cauvery protest, Kannada activists and the film body, Kannada Film Chamber of Commerce, withdrew their decision to hold a Bengaluru bandh and protests across the state against the release of the much-awaited film.
With the bandh being called off, the prolonged uncertainty over whether Bahubali 2 will release on April 28, across Karnataka, including Bengaluru, has finally ended with protesting organisations giving the green signal for its release. Fans of the movie will now know why Kattappa, (the character played by Sathyaraj in the Bahubali series) killed Bahubali, one of the most intriguing parts of the first instalment of the series.
Several Kannada activists held a meeting on Saturday to reconsider their decision after the actor expressed regret over his earlier statements.
"'Our fight is not against the film, but against the actor, who made nasty remarks about Kannada and Kannadigas in the past. As Satyaraj apologised for his remarks, we decided to let go off this issue and allow the film to be released across the state," said Vatal Nagaraj, who was heading the protest against the actor calling for a Bengaluru bandh on the day the film was set for global release.
KFCC president Sa Ra Govind termed the alleged reports over screening of Kannada films being stopped in Tamil Nadu as rumours. "I have spoken to authorities concerned in the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and they cleared the air, saying that there is no such development. They assured me of complete responsibility in the matter," said Mr Govind. He also said that if any such developments are indeed reported then the body will retaliate with similar action.
