Kannada associations clear decks for Baahubali 2

After a video statement released by Sathyaraj stating that he did not mean to hurt the feelings of the Kannada people, leader of the pro-Kannadiga group Vattal Nagaraj has announced that the protest against Baahubali 2 has been withdrawn.

Sathyaraj made the statement following the threat made by the pro-Kannada groups to stop the release of Baahubali 2 in Karnataka, in which the actor plays the role of Kattappa.

The group wanted the actor to apologise for the statement he made against Kannadigas over the Cauveri water dispute nine years ago.

In his statement on Friday, Sathyaraj said he is not against the people of Karnataka at any point and also said that having played a small role in Baahubali, he did not want the mighty efforts of thousands of people involved in the magnum opus.

The actor also requested directors and producers not to book him for films as they might have trouble releasing the film.

He also said that he will continue to lend his support to Tamils in Cauveri dispute, Tamil Eelam and farmers agitations and asserted that he would rather die as a Tamilan than an actor.

Meanwhile, Kamal Haasan today appreciated Sathyaraj for taking a rational decision at the time of crisis. The ‘Ulaganayagan’ used one of his dialogues from Virumaandi to praise Sathyaraj’s response to the entire issue.

Sathyaraj promptly thanked Kamal for his support.