Will the Tamil film Kaala starring Rajinikanth release in Karnataka? It is facing a big crisis due to the actor and aspiring politician Rajinikanth's immature statements about the Cauvery water dispute. Two weeks ago Rajinikanth demanded that Karnataka should immediately release water from its dams to Tamil Nadu. The ground situation was different with the Cauvery water dams in Karnataka being dry. This led to criticism of Rajinikanth's statements by Kannada organisations in the state. It was seen as an attempt by an aspiring politician to gain brownie points without knowing the ground realities. 

Rajinikanth's statements were in stark contrast to someone like another Tamil actor Simbu. Simbu's call for brotherhood during the same crisis had been well received and people in Karnataka also praised him. But Rajinikanth's statements has caused trouble for his film. Many exhibitors in Karnataka have voluntarily decided not to screen Rajinikanth's film in support of the Cauvery issue. 

It is not just Kannada organisations but also politicians in Karnataka who are upset with Rajinikanth's statements. Chief Minister HD Kumarswamy replied to Rajinikanth saying the actor should visit Karnataka to see the facts before making comments.

Karnataka chief minister HD Kumarswamy has expressed his personal opinion that Tamil film Kaala should not be released in Karnataka considering the sensitive situation because of the Cauvery Water issue. After the High Court direction to the government and police to provide security to the film release in the state, the CM said that the court order will be followed. However he ventured to give his personal opinion also and pointed out that in a similar situation two years ago a Kannada film dubbed to Tamil was not allowed to be released in Tamil Nadu. Naagarahavu 2 was not allowed release during a similar Cauvery water issue. The CM thinks there is a similar situation and producers of Kaala should not risk releasing their film now.

It may be recalled that the Cauvery issue has always been a sensitive issue. In 2001 three theatres were set afire way angry mobs during the Cauvery crisis as they were screening Tamil films. It is possible that the CM has been appraised by the police that there could be trouble. It is no secret that whenever there is a situation like this and if the courts are about to give any Cauvery release judgement the police informally tell theatres not to screen Tamil films that week.

ಸೂಪರ್‍ಸ್ಟಾರ್ ರಜನಿಕಾಂತ್ ಅಭಿನಯದ ಕಾಲಾ ಚಿತ್ರ, ಜೂನ್ 7ನೇ ತಾರೀಕು ವಿಶ್ವಾದ್ಯಂತ ರಿಲೀಸ್ ಆಗುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ, ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲ. ರಜನಿಕಾಂತ್ ಕಾವೇರಿ ನದಿ ನೀರು ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಕುರಿತು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ವಿರುದ್ಧ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಲಾ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದಲ್ಲಿ ರಿಲೀಸ್ ಮಾಡದೇ ಇರಲು ಚಲನಚಿತ್ರ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಕರು ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಫಿಲಂಚೇಂಬರ್‍ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚೇಂಬರ್ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಸಾ.ರಾ.ಗೋವಿಂದು ಈ ವಿಷಯ ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ವಿತರಕರು ಹಾಗೂ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಕರ ಜೊತೆ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಿದ ಸಾ.ರಾ.ಗೋವಿಂದು, ಸಭೆಯ ನಂತರ ಈ ವಿಷಯ ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು. ಅಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲ, ವಿವಾದಾತ್ಮಕ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ ಕೊಡುವುದು, ಆನಂತರ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೇಳಿ ಸುಮ್ಮನಾಗುವುದು.. ತಮಿಳು ನಟರಿಗೆ ಮಾಮೂಲಾಗಿಬಿಟ್ಟಿದೆ. ಹೀಗಾಗಿ ರಜನಿಕಾಂತ್ ಕ್ಷಮೆ ಕೇಳಿದರೂ ಕೂಡಾ ಕಾಲ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಅವಕಾಶ ನೀಡುವುದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಸಾ.ರಾ.ಗೋವಿಂದು.

ವಿಶೇಷ ಅಂದ್ರೆ, ಸಾ.ರಾ.ಗೋವಿಂದು ಹಾಗೂ ರಜನಿಕಾಂತ್, ಆಪ್ತಸ್ನೇಹಿತರು. ಆದರೆ, ಭಾಷೆ, ನದಿ ವಿಚಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನೇಹವನ್ನೂ ಪಕ್ಕಕ್ಕಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಸಾ.ರಾ.ಗೋವಿಂದು.