Kannada activists stop screening of Marathi film Follower

Some members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (Shivaramegouda faction) stopped the screening of the Marathi film Follower, in the Inox cinema in Belagavi on Friday night, saying it would disturb peace in the city.

Wajid Hirekodi, KRV (S)convenor and others entered the theatre, argued with the staff and stopped the screening. They urged the owners to send the audience out. Police reached the spot and dispersed the group.

Earlier, Kannada activists had sought a ban on the Marathi film directed by Harshad Nalwade, and focusses on the politics around the Kannada – Marathi dispute in the city. It has been screened in film festivals and has earned critical praise.

The activists have written to the state government to ban the Marathi film `Follower’ alleging that it would disturb the law and order situation in Belagavi.

In a letter to the police commissioner, Rajkumar Topannanavar, activist, said that the film twists facts and tries to pit one linguistic community against another. He said that the film could add to the division among Kannada and Marathi groups, provoke them and disturb peace. He also left a message on social media handles for his followers, expressing displeasure at the film’s plot, that is based on the language and border issue in Belagavi.

Assistant commissioner of police A Shekharappa appealed to the activists to remain calm and let the state government take a decision.

Meanwhile, the relatives of the film maker have appealed to the activists to look at it as a product of a creative process and to watch it before forming an opinion about it.

Most of the people who worked on the film are from Belagavi. They have worked for seven years. There is nothing about the border dispute in the film. This film’s story revolves around three friends. This film premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival. It is unfortunate that the movie screening has been cancelled suddenly. We will try to screen it again on Sunday. We seek the cooperation of the Kannada speaking people in this,’‘ they said.

Kannada activists have written to the state government to ban the Marathi film `Follower’ alleging that it would disturb the law and order situation in Belagavi.

In a letter to the police commissioner, Rajkumar Topannanavar, activist, said that the film twists facts and tries to pit one linguistic community against another. He said that the film could add to the division among Kannada and Marathi groups, provoke them and disturb peace. He also left a message on social media handles for his followers, expressing displeasure at the film’s plot, that is based on the language and border issue in Belagavi.