The Rise Of Intolerance

We live in strange times indeed. Some remarks that actor Sathyaraj apparently made nine years ago, about the Cauvery water dispute, were used to derail the release of SS Rajamouli’s film Baahubali 2: The Conclusion in Karnataka.

- Jitesh Pillaai

Sathyaraj plays the hugely popular character Katappa in the film.

Let’s gain a perspective. The remarks were allegedly made almost a decade ago. Between that time, all other films of Sathyaraj, including Baahubali: The Beginning, got released in Karnataka. Suddenly, some political outfit found the remarks demeaning and demanded a ban. Both, the film’s director SS Rajamouli and Sathyaraj himself had to publicly regret making the alleged remarks. And, mind you, the film has nothing to do with the Cauvery dispute. It’s one of the proudest achievements in Indian cinema, matching Hollywood standards and making our producers believe in dreaming big once more. But you can’t win over everyone I guess.