Shivaji opposition builds up

The protest against the release of Shivaji - The Boss, Tamil superstar Rajinikanth's biggest ever film, is gathering steam from all quarters in Karnataka. There are many reasons that Kannada film enthusiasts and loyalists quote, justifying their opposition to the films release. Their argument is that the KFCC is not sticking to its intended purpose of inception, which is to protect the intrest of Karnataka language films (Konkani, Tulu and Kannada). They claim that the KFCC, instead of promoting Kannada films in the state, is busy promoting other language films.

They also have some serious grievances against the films director Shankar. They claim that one of his previous films Imsai Arasan Pulikeshi has degrading references to Kannada king Pulikeshi. The film, which has comedian Vadivelu playing the films lead role, has a mention in the film of Sangolli Raayanna as one of its characters- who according to the film was a traitor to the king and acted as a spy on the behalf of the foreigners invading India.

They also claim that the Kannada film industry in resurgence mode with massive hits like Mungaru Male grossing Rs. 40 Cr and running. That makes the film among the 5 top most grossers in India, a recent comment on a website claims. They claim that the claim that there is no market for Kannada films is rubbished by these figures. They believe that now is the time for the KFCC to step up and support Kannada movies like never before.

To give them more points concerning the issue, they have said that a former KFCC president has bought the rights and therefore has been only another hurdle that the film industry has to cross. Another claim is that the availability of Kannada news and media for Kannada speaking people in Tamilnadu is restricted with only 2-3 of Kannada channels being made available there. Kannada newspapers, magazines and films are not allowed to be exhibited or sold in the state. They say that the Government of Tamilnadu hereby is committing grave injustice to the Kannadigas in Tamilnadu.