Rajinikanth-starrer Kaala hits screen today

Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala' hit screens today after Supreme Court yesterday refused to stall the release.

"Kaala" is facing the anger of pro-Kannada groups who have threatened to disrupt screenings if the movie releases despite a ban by a Karnataka film body.

A vacation bench comprising Justices A K Goel and Ashok Bhushan refused to entertain the last-minute plea by KS Rajashekaran, who sought an injunction against release of the movie.


"Everybody is anxiously waiting for the release of the movie. We don't want to interfere with its release," Supreme Court said while refusing to stay the release of the film.

The petitioner has approached the apex court against the May 16 order of the Madras High Court which has posted his plea against the release of the movie for hearing on June 16.

A day before, Karnataka High Court had also directed the state government to provide necessary security for peaceful release of superstar Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala', which pro-Kannada outfits had threatened to stall over Rajinikanth's reported remarks on the Cauvery row.

Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had also backed deferring the release of Rajinikanth-starrer 'Kaala' in Karnataka 'in this environment'.

However, he said the government would implement the directions of the Karnataka High Court for smooth release of the film.

Miffed with Rajinikanth's reported comments that whichever government comes to power in Karnataka should implement the Supreme Court order on Cauvery water sharing, the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce had on May 29 decided not to allow screening of 'Kaala'.

"A decision has been taken that Rajinikanth's movie will neither be distributed nor screened anywhere in Karnataka," KFCC president Sa Ra Govindu had announced.

'Kaala' is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 7, but the KFCC had said the film would neither be distributed nor screened in the state.

Chinnappa also said several pro-Kannada outfits had made representations to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, requesting a ban on Kaala following Rajinikanth's alleged views on the Cauvery dispute.

Many pro-Kannada organisations had threatened to vandalise theatres if they screen the film.

(Input from PTI)