Bengaluru: Authorities in Karnataka have denied permission for a New Year’s Eve performance starring actor Sunny Leone in Bengaluru after Right-wing groups protested against it and called it an “assault” on the state’s culture.

For the past one week, members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and some other organisations have been agitating in the city, taking out rallies and burning effigies of Sunny Leone. "I have instructed (authorities) not to allow such events. Don't bring her (Leone) here. People are opposed to the event. Let them (organisers) organise events related to Kannada culture and literature, which is our heritage," Karnataka Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy said.

Organisers of the event, however, told News18 that the former adult film actor was scheduled to sing and perform a Kannada film song as part of the event.

“There is a wrong perception. The activists are saying it is some nanga naach (nude dance), but mine is an event for families. This is the only event where Kannada rappers will also perform. I am a Kannadiga myself,” said MS Harish, managing director of event management company The Time Creations.

Detailing the event plan, Harish said Sunny Leone was to perform on a Bollywood remix and Kannada song Sesamma — starring Leone — from the 2015 movie DK. She was also supposed to cut the cake after the countdown to the New Year, he said.

Ironically, Sesamma is a song about a woman complaining that the government had restricted her entry and imposed a curfew in the city. To this, her co-performer in the song replies that he would “bring down the government”.

“I have already invested Rs 2 to 3 crore in the event. Police have denied permission without knowing anything about the show. They haven’t given anything in writing yet, just informed me orally. But I will try to meet the (Karnataka) Home Minister and Police Commissioner to let the event go through,” Harish said.

Police sources told CNN-News18 that permission for the event was denied over shortage of personnel. “December 31 is a sensitive day. We cannot deploy police everywhere. We got intelligence inputs about a possible law and order situation at the event that night,” a source said.

Check out the song here: