Even as the YMCA grounds in Chennai is being readied for the grand audio launch of Pa Ranjith and Rajnikanth’s Kaala and there is a lot of fanfare surrounding the same, fans have raised questions on the need for a grand launch at a time when the state has been demanding a Cauvery river water sharing scheme.
Recalling the protest surrounding the IPL, several people have questioned the double standards of those from the film fraternity.
However, Director Ram said that Kaala does not have the same magnitude that IPL had.
“A lot of us protested against IPL because we knew the issue will escalate and gain international attention. The whole idea was to draw attention to the issue at hand. And it was a success. But since then, a lot has happened in the state. Kaala audio launch does not have the magnitude that IPL had. Protesting against this might take a different tone altogether. It might become electoral politics. Protests should not have electoral agenda,” he explained.
Social media users were outraged and pointed out that Rajinikanth himself had asked the IPL players to sport black bands as a sign of protest. Rajnikanth had even remarked that it was “embarrassing” to be enjoying IPL at this particular time.
“It is an embarrassment if we enjoy IPL during this crucial time. Our team (CSK) should try to wear black badges during the game to send the message across the country, the team owners should also support it,” he told the media last month.
Following protests from different quarters, IPL was shifted out of the city. However, a scheme is yet to be formed, and the Centre is supposed to submit its draft scheme to the Supreme Court on May 14. The state of affairs has led many to express their anger on Twitter.
If IPL celebration cud be an embarrassment when the state's rights have been betrayed in #Cauvery how can the grand audio launch of #kaala be justified? Why the double standards. Hearing there will be 8500 people in the audience to hear @rajinikanth and his #kaalaa songs
— Lakshmi Subramanian (@lakhinathan) May 8, 2018
double standard by @rajinikanth and the Tamil movie folks and Tamil separatists parties. IPL shouldn't be in Chennai as it is entertainment while Kaveri water isn't there but #Kaala is fine to be enjoyed. That #UnakkuvandhaRatthamEnakkuvandhaThakkaliChutney moment pic.twitter.com/DhVENdfHNO
— Aravind (@netcitizen) May 9, 2018
Well done tamil cinema stars.protest for cauvery and shift IPL matches out of https://t.co/VUf4rhfzhL Kaala music launch justified fully to satisfy a top star's ego. so much for tamil pride and farmers.Sad after Jaya's death..spineless are talking and shouting.
— Somashekara Kumar (@soma400) May 9, 2018
Dear Mr Rajanikanth, please explain your stand on having a gala event for Kaala song release while you thought hosting IPL in Chennai was not appropriate due to of Cauvery Issue #kaala #KaalaAudioLaunch
— Nikhil Punnen Skaria (@PunnenSkaria) May 9, 2018
He said embarrassment bcoz of the protest. Is protest still happening? If he is asking to stop IPL, why he asked to wear black band if they want? So, If you want you can attend the Kaala audio launch event wearing Black Band.. no restrictions on that
— Cross Question (@Cross_Question) May 8, 2018
This is plain hypocrisy from part of Rajinikanth for calling IPL an embarrassment but conducts audio launch for his movie. I would wait to see whether journalists can ask him about his double standard #Kaala
— Ram (@RM_Says) May 8, 2018
Kaala’s audio was released earlier on Tuesday. The music has been composed by Santosh Narayanan, who will also reportedly perform at the event.