BENGALURU: Amid the raging controversy over the release of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Padmavati’ across the nation, members of a right wing organisation tore down posters of the newly released Kannada movie ‘Athiratha’ near Santosh Theatre in Bengaluru on Sunday. They called actor Chethan anti-Hindu for his support to the demand of a separate Lingayat religion tag.
A social media campaign was also launched against the actor’s movie ‘Athiratha,’ which was released this Friday. A meme posted on Facebook page urged people not to watch his movies. Members also called for total boycott of the actor as, according to them, Chethan has ‘insulted’ the Hindu religion. The protests erupted after the actor expressed his support for a separate Lingayat religion tag at a convention held recently in the city.
When contacted, Chethan told Express, “This kind of vandalism and intolerance is against the democratic framework, the Constitution and the law. I am ready to have a discussion with anybody who opposes my idea. But opposing art work is not justified. There are many people who want to watch the film.” “Violence in the name of religion should not be tolerated, and police should take stern against groups involving in violence,” he added. Chethan said, “I am just an actor in the movie. Many people are involved in making a film and they should not suffer just because a certain group with political intentions doesn’t agree with my viewpoint.” Chethan’s character in the movie fights against commercialisation of education and fake certificate mafia.