New Delhi: Thalapathy Vijay’s latest release, has been embroiled in the middle of the ongoing Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Several theatres have removed and cancelled screenings of the film as a precaution. There have been widespread protests in Karnataka over the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.
Jana Nayagan screenings stopped in Karnataka
As the Cauvery protests intensified in Karnataka, several theatre owners voluntarily suspended screenings to avoid any law and order issues. Some theatres’ staff even removed Vijay’s posters, cut-outs and banners from the venues, according to a report by NDTV
The report further stated that at Bengaluru’s Urvashi Theatre, screenings of Jana Nayagan were halted following a police advisory. The shows of were replaced with the Kannada film, Karavali.
Additionally, police personnel have been deployed outside Urvashi Theatre as a precautionary measure to prevent any incidents as the protests continue across Karnataka.
The NDTV report also stated that pro-Kannada activists removed promotional banners of Vijay’s film in Mandya amid the escalating tensions over the Cauvery water-sharing dispute.
In Karnataka, the film reportedly opened across around 125 to 150 theatres on July 23. It was released in more than 75 single screens and nearly 50 multiplexes.
The Karnataka Film Chamber has also called for a meeting over the cancellations of screenings.
What is the protest all about?
The Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) upheld the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee’s (CWRC) recommendation to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days. However, Kannada organisations and farmers opposed the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, arguing that the state itself is facing a water shortage and releasing water would adversely affect the farmers.
Congress MP from Tamil Nadu Karti Chidambaram said, “We are very clear there is a Cauvery Management Board and whatever the management board decides has to be implemented. That is our position. We are very clear in Tamil Nadu that the arrangement, agreement, and verdict of the Cauvery Management Board must be implemented in total.”
About Jana Nayagan
Directed by H Vinoth and produced by Venkat K Narayana under KVN Productions, Jana Nayagan was released in theatres on July 23. The film stars Vijay, Pooja Hegde, Priyamani, Bobby Deol, Prakash Raj, Nassar and Mamitha Baiju in key roles.