Supreme Court refuses to stay release of Rajinikanth-starrer ‘Kaala’

Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay release of Rajinikanth starrer movie Kaala which is scheduled to hit screens tomorrow.

Everybody is anxiously waiting for the release of the movie. We don't want to interfere with its release, the apex court said while refusing to stay the release of the movie.

A vacation bench comprising Justices A K Goel and Ashok Bhushan refused to entertain plea of the petitioner who claims to be the original scripwriter of the film and told him that he may be compensated in future if the court gives verdict in his favour, but release of the film cannot be stayed.

The petitioner has approached the apex court against the May 16 order of the Madras High Court which has posted his plea against the release of the movie for hearing on June 16.

The petitioner has claimed that his copyright-protected work related to story scenes and songs were used by the producer of the movie without prior permission.

Earlier in the day, Rajinikanth has appealed to Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy to provide security at theatres that wished to screen the film as it releases nationwide tomorrow.

In his message, Rajinikanth said, "I understand HD Kumaraswamy's situation. This is not good for Karnataka. When the film is released around the world, the Karnataka ban would highlight the issue (Cauvery water dispute)".

Several pro-Kannada groups have threatened to stall the movie if it is screened despite an earlier ban on it by the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce.

'Kaala' is scheduled for a worldwide release on June 7.