Kama Of Kingstone

BY, KARPAGAM THYAGARAJAN

It looks like Kuselan will not release in Karnataka, causing a loss of Rs 1.50 crore to its distributors Pyramid Saimira. The chauvinist organization Karnataka Rakshana Vedika (KRV) is determined to block the release of the film scheduled on August 1.

Their grouse is that during the Tamil Film industry's protest fast opposing Karnataka stand on the Hogenekkal project, Rajinikanth had come down heavily on Karnataka. He had warned the state not to politicize the issue.

Rajinikanth in typical style seen in his films had said: "Karnataka should not test our (Tamilnadu) patience by not letting us draw water from our own land." This made Rajini a hero in the land where he became a superstar and a villain in his own home state.

KRV is demanding an apology from Rajinikanth, failing which his films will not be allowed to be screened in Karnataka. Rajini at that time expressed regret if he had hurt the sentiments of anyone, but also added: “If my films do not release in Karnataka, it's not a problem for me."

Meanwhile Karnataka Chief Minister B.S Yedurappa, has said he would convene an all party meet in Bangalore to discuss the Hogenakkal issue. The state is ready to pass a resolution in the Assembly opposing the project and is willing to take an all party delegation to New Delhi to halt the project.

Remember Yedurappa was the first politician who visited Hogenakkal before the assembly elections and made an "issue" out of it which paid off handsomely. Now with Lok Sabha polls looming large, all politicians in both Tamilnadu and Karnataka are going to make a blockbuster out of the Hogenakkal issue!

And Rajinikanth knows that he cannot play neutral, he has to be seen as 'Tamilnadu pro-active' in his talks. The best way out for Rajinikanth is to reimburse Pyramid Saimira their cost of Kuselan Karnataka rights, and never release the film in the state.

This will ensure that he is not dragged into unwanted controversies, something which he has been trying to keep his superstardom afloat.