Pro-Kannada activists disrupted the screenings of non-Kannada movies in Bengaluru on Karnataka Rajyotsava Day,... Read More

Pro-Kannada activists disrupted the screenings of non-Kannada movies in Bengaluru on Karnataka Rajyotsava Day, forcing hundreds out of theatres.

More than 200 people watching the English movie Gone Girl at PVR Cinemas in Orion Mall in Rajajinagar were sent back from the middle of the show by a group of protesters who took objection to the screening of a non-Kannada movie on Rajyotsava Day.

Malini, a homemaker was one of those sent back. She said she was watching the movie with her husband when the incident took place. “Men wearing Kannada flags on their shoulders barged into the cinema just five minutes post-interval. ‘We are born and brought up here and should only watch Kannada movies,' they were yelling. Later, we were all sent out of the theatre . The PVR Cinemas management was helpless and did not know what to do,“ she said.

Another visitor to the theatre , Pavan Kumar, said, “PVR officials said they could not do anything as the protesters were not afraid of anybody.“

Not willing to face the wrath of activists, many theatres across the city began screening Kannada films. At Gaurda Mall, people who had arrived to watch the English movie Fury were disappointed as the shows were cancelled following protests.

People expressed outrage over the incidents online. “I was watching Gone Girl when protesters threatened to beat us up if we didn't leave. I am a Kannadiga and I am ashamed of this,“ said a netizen .

Thomas D'Souza , who represents theatre owners in the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, said, “We do not support violence. But theatres should know to be sensitive to local sentiments too.“