Sathyaraj issues unconditional apology for Cauvery river row remarks made several years ago; Rana Daggubati argues 'Baahubali 2' ban in Karnataka will affect producers and crew, not actor
Rana Daggubati (left) and Sathyaraj from the first instalment of SS Rajamouli's Bahubali, which released in 2015
Rana Daggubati (left) and Sathyaraj from the first instalment of SS Rajamouli's 'Baahubali', which released in 2015
Katappa (played by Sathyaraj) will reveal why he killed 'Baahubali', but before he can do that he has been forced to tender an unconditional apology for his 'anti-Kannadiga' remarks.
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As the second instalment of SS Rajamouli's war-drama, 'Baahubali', nears its April 28 release date, the makers found themselves battling to ensure the film's release in Karnataka. Pro-Kannada outfits threatened to ban the film over statements made by Sathyaraj, who plays the pivotal role of Kattappa, during a demonstration by the Tamil film fraternity nine years ago.
SS Rajamouli
"I have got to know that what I had spoken during the Cauvery water crisis has created a lot of tension among the people of Karnataka. I am not against Kannadigas or Karnataka. I would like to apologise for the statement that I had made nine years back and would like to say that I am a small worker in Baahubali film and my comment should not affect the film. I appeal to Tamils to understand," Sathyraj said in Chennai yesterday in response to the threats made by activists in Karnataka.
Before Sathyaraj issued the apology, Rana Daggubati, who plays the anti-hero in the film, told mid-day, "The incident that triggered it happened several years ago. India is a democratic country and every individual is entitled to his opinion." Banning the film, Rana had aptly pointed out, would not affect Sathyaraj, but the production house instead. "Sathyaraj is an actor, one of many in the ensemble film, who has already been paid for his work. It will be a massive blow to the producers, the crew and technicians, who have put years of hard work into making it," said Rana. He added, "With due respect to everyone's sentiments, we tend to blow things out of proportion in this country. It's easy to target the movie business. The agitation will not register in people's minds when they are watching the film."
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj had objected to Sathyaraj's 'derogatory' comment made in 2008 over the Cauvery water dispute, where he apparently called Nagaraj a "comedian".
Last year, Sathyaraj had spoken at a demonstration held in solidarity with Tamil farmers seeking water from Karnataka, urging Tamilians to stand up for their rights and not be like "a tree which stands silently as any dog comes and urinates on it."
Offended by the accusations, members of the Karnataka Rakhsha Vedika protested outside the office of the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce in Bengaluru on Thursday, asserting they would prevent the release of the film until an apology is tendered. The organisation called for a statewide bandh on the day of the film's release.
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