Rajinikanth’s Kaala releases, fans burst fireworks

Rajinikanth’s latest movie Kaala hit theatres on Thursday with much fanfare after facing protests from pro-Kannada groups and even a Supreme Court hearing. In Chennai, fans of the superstar queued up at theatres post midnight as screenings began as early as 4 am, ANI reported. Fireworks accompanied their celebration while some poured milk on posters.

Fans in Mumbai too turned up at theatres on Wednesday night. Pro-Kannada groups had demanded a ban on the movie’s release in Karnataka in protest against Rajinikanth’s comments on the Cauvery river water sharing dispute. The actor had asked state chief minister HD Kumaraswamy to release Tamil Nadu its share of the water as mandated by the Supreme Court. “The Cauvery Management Board should be formed as soon as possible. If the Centre does not do that, it may face the wrath of entire Tamil Nadu,” he said in April. Apart from attempting to block the movie’s release, the groups demanded an apology from Rajinikanth.

The actor appealed to the people of Karnataka and CM Kumaraswamy to ensure a smooth release of the movie. Addressing reporters at his Poes Garden bungalow in Chennai, Rajinikanth justified his stand on the Cauvery issue and said: “I said what the court had said, and banning a movie for that is not correct. The movie is getting released worldwide and those who want to enjoy the movie should be allowed to watch... It is really surprising as the job of KFCC (Karnataka Chamber of Commerce) is to ensure that film-makers and distributors do not face hindrances at the time of a movie release.”

Supreme Court refuses to stay release
A vacation bench of the top court on Wednesday refused to stay the release of the movie after hearing a petitioner claimed producers had used his copyright content without permission. Rajashekaran had approached the Supreme Court against the May 16 order of the Madras high court which posted his plea against the release of the movie for hearing on June 16. “You want an injunction against the release of the movie. Everybody is waiting for the film to be released,” the bench told the counsel appearing for the petitioner.