Rajni's apology boomerangs on him, fans express ire

Chennai, Aug 1 (UNI) Even as many of his fans rejoiced the release of their superstar's latest comedy flick 'Kuselan', in which he plays himself, verbal brickbats hit Rajnikant from a section of his own fans and the Tamil industry, who expressed ire strongly for the star's apology to the people of Karnataka.

Posters of the film, in which Rajni plays a superstar rising from humble beginnings, much like his own lifestory, were torn away by many of his fans in the city, while in Coimbatore some of his fans were arrested for destroying banners of Rajnikant in a theatre where the film was released.

The film opened to worldwide release today, including the United States.

To ensure the release of his film in Karnataka, Rajnikant expressed his apology last night to the people of that state for speaking strongly against the pro-Kannada organisations and Karnataka state government's objections to implementation of the Hogenakkal drinking water project by Tamil Nadu.

Many Tamil film industry bigwigs, including film artistes Association President and actor-turned politician Sarathkumar, actor Sathyaraj and a committee member fo the artistes association Vettrichelvan, strongly criticised Rajnikant for offering an apology to save his film, as they put it in a statement.

Another actor-director and politician, Vijaya T Rajendar wondered whether Rajni had apologised out of fear.

What is he apologising for, they wondered and deemed it a selfish act, in a way to ensure the release of his film in Karnataka.

However, celebrity director Bharatiraja, who had directed Rajni in a few films, jumped to the actor's support.

He said the apology was with a good intention to see that the producers and the distributors of 'Kuselan' did not incur losses because of him.

The apology is a humane gesture by Rajnikant, Mr Bharatiraja stated.

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