Sivaji may face problems in Karnataka

The release of Rajnikanth's Tamil film Sivaji in Karnataka on May 31 may run into hurdles as some pro-Kannada organisations in the state have decided to block all Tamil releases until the Cauvery river water issue is resolved.

The organisations include the powerful Karnataka Rakshana Vedike headed by Narayana Gowda, a faction of Dr Raj Kumar fans association and some other fringe Kannada bodies.

They are planning agitations to block the simultaneous release of Tamil films in Karnataka; though they have not mentioned the names of films, the Rajni starrer may be the first victim.

The ruling party coalition in the state has not reacted to this move by the pro-Kannada organisations.

Though it is still not officially known whether H D Gangaraj, former president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce and a Congress party member turned distributor, will be distributing Sivaji, it is rumoured that the film's distribution rights have been sold to Karnataka for a huge amount, which also includes the cost of acquiring the rights of the Telugu dubbed version.

Surprisingly, producer Sa Ra Govindoo, president of Dr Raj Kumar fans association, who is also the vice president of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, has remained silent though he is perceived to be close to Gangaraj.
Rajnikanth's previous films like Chandramukhi and Baba were sold to Gangaraj for Rs 2.20 crore and Rs 1.90 crore respectively.

In 1992, producer S Ramanathan sold the distribution rights of his film Dharma Dorai in Karnataka for only Rs 4.35 lakh. The film did business of over Rs 10 lakh in the entire state. 

But today, it is a different scenario. Rajni's films are screened in every nook and corner of Karnataka, so the latest move by pro-Kannada organisations may come as a blow to the distributors as well as the fans.