On Friday evening, a group of Kannada activists disrupted the screening of a Marathi film in Belagavi city, a day ahead of the statewide bandh called by various Kannada organizations protesting alleged acts by the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES).
The film ‘Follower’, which was released the same day in Maharashtra and Belagavi, was being shown at INOX theatre in the Camp area when members of the Shivarame Gowda-led Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) stopped the screening. They claimed the movie supports Maharashtra in the ongoing border dispute.
Following the protest, theatre staff removed the promotional material, and the 8 pm show was canceled. The audience received full ticket refunds. The makers of ‘Follower’ refuted the allegations, saying the film contains no references to any border issue.
Camp ACP and CPI arrived at the venue to review the situation and restore order. The incident has contributed to rising tensions ahead of Saturday’s Karnataka bandh.
