Promotional material for Jana Nayagan was removed amid escalating tensions
The ongoing Cauvery water dispute has spilled into Karnataka’s cinema halls, with several theatres suspending screenings of Vijay‘s blockbuster Jana Nayagan amid protests by pro-Kannada organisations and farmers over the release of water to Tamil Nadu.
Theatres across the state have voluntarily cancelled shows and removed the actor’s promotional material as tensions over the river-sharing issue continue to escalate.
Shows cancelled, posters removed
Jana Nayagan, which hit theatres on July 23, had released across nearly 125-150 screens in Karnataka, including over 75 single-screen theatres and around 50 multiplex screens.
However, as protests intensified, several theatre owners decided to halt screenings to avoid law and order issues.
At Bengaluru’s Urvashi Theatre, police advised the management to suspend screenings as a precaution. Staff removed Vijay’s posters and cut-outs, while scheduled shows were replaced with the Kannada film Karavali.
Police personnel have also been deployed outside the theatre to prevent any untoward incidents.
Protest spreads to Mandya
In Mandya, pro-Kannada activists removed promotional banners of Jana Nayagan as demonstrations against the Cauvery water release gathered momentum.
The Karnataka Film Chamber has also called a meeting to discuss the impact of the cancellations on the film industry.
Cauvery dispute fuels protests
The latest unrest follows the Cauvery Water Management Authority’s (CWMA) decision to uphold the recommendation of the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) directing Karnataka to release 3,500 cusecs of water daily to Tamil Nadu for 15 days.
Kannada organisations and farmers have opposed the move, arguing that Karnataka is already facing a water shortage and that releasing additional water would adversely affect the state’s agricultural sector.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram reiterated Tamil Nadu’s stand, saying the Cauvery Management Board’s directions must be implemented in full.
The dispute has once again highlighted how the decades-old Cauvery water-sharing issue continues to influence public life well beyond politics, now impacting the entertainment industry as well.
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