Film artists take to roads against Cauvery verdict

Bangalore, Feb 13: After Karnataka bandh that brought life to a grinding halt yesterday, hundreds of film artists from Kannada filmdom today took out a procession in the city against the Cauvery River Disputes Tribunal final verdict.

Apart from top stars like Vishnuvardhan, Shivarajkumar, Raghavendra Rajkumar and Punit Rajkumar, the three siblings of late super star Rajkumar, Tara, Malashri, Jayanti and scores of other stars, belonging to both the present and yesteryears, went on procession from the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce (KFCC) to Raj Bhavan.

Besides actors, Film Producers, Exhibitors, Distributors, stunt artists, directors and dancers joined the procession taken out amid tight security. A 2000-strong police force, which included RAF personnel were present as the rally went on a peaceful march.

Slogans like 'Cauvery Nammadu' (Cauvery river is ours) rent the air even as the rallyists decried the Tribunal verdict which they said was biased against the State.

KFCC Chairman Tallam Nanjunda Shetty said the film world stood solidly behind the organisations that had launched the agitation against the Tribunal verdict and would fight till justice was done to the state.

Busy thoroughfares like Race Course Road, Kumara Krupa Road and Raj Bhavan road were closed for traffic till noon.

UNI