Bengaluru: Kannada film star Shivarajkumar, on the behalf of Kannada film industry, apologised to Tamil actor Siddharth after his press meet was stopped by pro-Kannada activists amidst protests over Cauvery water dispute.
Shivarjkumar said the stopping of Siddharth's press meet was wrong as people of Karnataka have been known to be welcoming.
"Recently, the press meet of an actor from another industry was stopped in Bengaluru. This is wrong; Kannadigas have always been known to be welcoming. On behalf of the entire Kannada film industry, I extend a heartfelt apology to Siddharth. I was very hurt by what happened. Kanndigas love and support all languages and their movies too," he said.
Shivarajkumar apologised at a Cauvery water protest along with Kannada actors Darshan, Vasishta N Simha, and Dhruva Sarja among others.
The unfortunate incident took place when Siddharth was promoting the Kannada version of Chittha, named Chikku, at a press meet prior to the screening of the film.
A group of pro-Kannada protestors disrupted the meeting, questioning the timing of the promotion of Tamil film when Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have locked horns over release of Cauvery water. Siddharth was eventually forced to leave the event mid-way.
Shivarajkumar also said mindless protests and destruction of public property is not the solution, and also questioned what this kind of an act augurs to when the Cauvery issue is something to be solved by the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments.
"Tell me, what can the actors do about it? It is for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments to solve the issue amicably. Farmers are the focal point of the dispute, and there is no distinction between farmers of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu," he said. (UNI)
