Siddharth was promoting his latest film 'Chikku' in Bengaluru when a group of pro-Kannada activists disturbed the event, forcing the actor to leave the venue.
Published Sep 29, 2023 | 2:49 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 29, 2023 | 6:10 PM
Dr Shiva Rajkumar apologises to Siddharth. (Supplied)
Kannada superstar Dr Shiva Rajkumar has expressed his regret over a disturbing incident involving Tamil actor-producer Siddharth that occurred on Thursday, 28 September.
Siddharth was in Bengaluru to promote his latest film Chikku, the Kannada dubbed version of the Tamil movie Chithha. However, a group of pro-Kannada activists barged into the venue where Siddharth was addressing the journalists.
Activists created a ruckus and eventually stopped the promotions following which the Tamil actor was forced to abruptly leave the venue. However, he urged the Karnataka audience to watch and support his work.
Cut to this afternoon, Dr Shiva Rajkumar, who was addressing the agitation called by the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) in support of the Karnataka bandh called over the Cauvery River water, expressed deep sadness over the incident involving Siddharth.
“We should never hurt the feelings of others in any manner. On behalf of the Kannada film industry, we are very sorry, Siddharth. I do not know who were those who did that, but we are deeply pained by it. This will never be repeated,” the Kannada superstar tendered an apology.
Shiva Rajkumar also noted that people in Karnataka were good at heart as they supported people from other languages in the state by watching films of all languages.
“Kannada people have earned great respect and admiration across the globe. There is no other place like Karnataka where all kinds of people, languages and cultures exist with mutual respect. We should protect the respect which we have earned globally,” Shivanna added.
A poster of the Kannada film ‘Chikku’. (Supplied)
Tamil actor and producer Siddharth, who was promoting his latest film Chikku, the Kannada dubbed version of his Tamil film Chithha, was in for an unpleasant shock on 28 September.
The reason was that a group of pro-Kannada activists barged inside the venue where the Tamil actor was addressing the Kannada film journalists, as part of promoting his movie Chikku.
Following the disturbing scenes, the actor-producer left the press meet midway while urging his Kannada fans to watch and support Chikku.
The film was released on 28 September in multiple languages.
The pro-Kannada activists, who barged into the venue and intervened, expressed displeasure over holding the press meet while the people of Karnataka were protesting over the Cauvery water issue.
“Protests are happening across the State over the Cauvery water issue. We have been fighting for justice for the past 15 days. When the Cauvery water is being released to Tamil Nadu, is it right to hold a press conference to promote a Tamil movie in Bengaluru? Will it not further escalate the matter,” asked one of the activists, who was seen in a video that went viral on social media.
The group of activists also “requested” the organisers to stop the press meet, which was advertising (promoting) the Tamil film. “Is this an urgent issue to be advertised,” they sought to know.
When things went out of control, Siddharth thanked the Kannada journalists. He urged his fans in the Karnataka State to watch Chikku and support his work and left the venue abruptly.
Soon after Siddharth left the press meet, the activists expressed their displeasure with the journalists and asked them to join their protest.
“We are on our way from the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) to Shivanna’s place for his support, and here you (journalists) are busy with the press meet,” they wondered.
This was when activists had a taste of their own medicine. The journalists took them to task saying that the film that Siddharth was here to promote was a dubbed (Kannada) movie and that they were aware that the Karnataka bandh was slated for 29 September and not on 28 September.
According to a few people, who were present at the venue (including the PRO who organised the press meet), the activists eventually realised their mistake, apologised, and requested not to escalate the matter further.
Even as the video of the activists barging in and disrupting the press meet went viral, the Bengaluru city police arrived at the venue and enquired about the disruption.
The cops said no case has been registered since there was no official complaint lodged in the matter.
Meanwhile, the Kannada film industry extended its full support to the one-day Karnataka bandh on 29 September called by various pro-Kannada organisations over the Cauvery water issue.
Led by Kannada superstar Dr Shivarajkumar, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce observed a sit-in demonstration at Sri Gururaja Kalyana Mantapa. It was attended by actors, producers, directors, and technicians.
Shivarajkumar was joined by Darshan, Upendra, Dhruva Sarja, Sharan, Duniya Vijay, Vijay Raghavendra, Srii Murali, Sathish Neenasam and other top actors from the industry.
Veteran actors Srinath and Srinivasa Murthy also expressed their solidarity in support of the agitation. Former minister-actress Umashree, Shruthi, Girija Lokesh, Padma Vasanthi, Bhavana Ramanna, Pooja Gandhi, and Pramila Joshai also took part in the protest.
While Shivanna urged for a more practical solution to the Cauvery water dispute, Upendra too echoed on the same lines citing that the issue has remained unresolved for decades.
Some opined that issues related to the environment should be addressed for a permanent solution that will lead to regular rainfalls.
Earlier, the KFCC announced support for the bandh along with the Karnataka Film Exhibitors Association backing the shutdown by cancelling the shows in theatres till evening across the State.
