CM for deferring 'Kaala' release,HC directs peaceful screening

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today backed deferring the release of Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala' in Karnataka after the high court directed the state government to provide necessary security for peaceful screening of the movie opposed by pro-Kannada outfits.

Kumaraswamy, however, said the government would implement the directions of the Karnataka High Court which came on a plea by the producers seeking directions for smooth release of the film.

Pro-Kannada outfits have threatened to stall the film, set to hit the screens on June 7, over the actor's reported remarks on the Cauvery row involving Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

In an appeal as a 'Kannadiga', Kumaraswamy requested the distributor of the film not to release it in "this kind of atmosphere".

"As the state government, I have to implement the directions of the high court. That I will take care of. It is my responsibility also. We will have to follow the high court direction," he told reporters here.

But, Kumaraswamy said: "According to my observation as an individual, not a chief minister, as a Kannaidaga...I request the producer or distributor of the movie, in this kind of atmosphere, it is not good on their part to release the movie," he said.

Noting that he himself was a film distributor and producer, the JDS leader said releasing the film would not be useful to the distributor financially.

"Why unnecessarily by releasing the movie this kind of controversy they wanted to create. It is not necessary," he said adding they can release it after a solution was reached to the Cauvery water sharing issue.

Kumaraswamy said Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce and several Kannada organisations were "very much" opposing the release of the movie" and added, "they (distributor) must oblige the opposition from the film chamber and Kannada organisations."