For over a month now, a few organisations in Karnataka have been threatening to stall the release of Baahubali: The Conclusion, if actor Sathyaraj, who plays a key role in the film, failed to tender an apology for a statement he made over nine years ago with regards to the burning Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In fact, on Thursday, director S.S. Rajamouli shared a video, in which he was seen speaking in Kannada, and addressing the issue, and even apologised on behalf of Sathyaraj. Interestingly, several of Sathyaraj’s films have released in Karnataka all these years, including the first installment of Baahubali. A week ahead of the film’s release, Sathyaraj has responded saying, “I understand that what I said during the Cauvery water crisis nine years ago has become a reason for tension among the people of Karnataka. However, I am not against Kannadigas or Karnataka. In fact, my assistant of 30 years, Sekhar, is a Kannadiga too.” While the actor didn’t exactly apologise, he expressed regret and said, “I regret making the statement. Also, I am just a small part of Baahubali, and just another worker, and would request not to let my comment affect the film,” he said, adding that it was his duty to protect the Kannadiga distributors, who had bought the distribution rights of the film.

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