Rajnikanth smooths way for Kuselan in Karnataka

Tamil superstar Rajnikanth apologized on television to Kannadigas on Thursday evening it had the desired effect with Kuselan now being released across the State on Friday, with the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) leaders softening their stand against the actor. A statement by KRV president T A Narayana Gowda summed up the new mood: “Rajnikant has grown in stature by tendering the apology; we have no reason to stop the film now.”

The Tamil superstar Rajinikanth had made some comments about Hogennakal dam project and had also participated in a sit in of Tamil activists opposing it. This did not go down well with Kannadigas. Seeking cooperation for the film’s release, Rajnikanth said though he has fame, name and money, he is happy even today because he is not egoistic. “I have not forgotten that I was a (bus) conductor (in Bangalore at one time)”.

Meanwhile Rajnikanth starrer “Kuselan” fever is rising in the US. As part of the mega Tamil film’s promotion, several 25-feet-high cutouts of the south Indian superstar are being unveiled for the first time at several places to coincide with its release. The cutouts are part of the film’s promotion by Pyramid Saimira Group, parent company of FunAsia that operates the largest chain of theatres in North America showing Indian films. Pyramid has acquired the global rights of “Kuselan”. Rajnikanth is the second highest paid actor in Asia after Jackie Chan with a huge fan following worldwide.