A day after Baahubali 2 director SS Rajamouli issued a video statement,  the Kannada actor, Sathyaraj, popularly known as “Kattappa” in the movie Bahubali, has finally apologized.

In the video, the director clearly clarified that Sathyaraj’s comments which he made nine years ago on the Cauvery water dispute had no connection with the movie or its crew, and requested the Kannadigas to give as much love and affection as the first film. He further urged not to stop the film that was result of hard work of several technicians, other actors, producers who worked for five years for the film.

There had been a great uproar over the release of Baahubali : The Conclusion in Karnataka after a pro-Karnataka organization, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) stated to halt the release of the film, unless the actor, Sathyaraj tenders an apology to people of Karnataka for his comments against them during Cauvery water crisis. The makers of the movie had been on tender hooks for a couple of weeks, because along with the KRV, the Karnataka Producer Council too stood by them.

The letter of Sathyaraj read :

“I have got to know that what I had spoken during the Cauvery water crisis has created a lot of tension among the people of Karnataka. I am not against Kannadigas or Karnataka. The biggest example for this is that for the last 35 years my assistant has been Shekar who is a Kannadiga. I would like to apologize for the statement that I had made nine years back and would like to say that I am a small worker in Bahubali film and my comment should not affect the film. I appeal to Tamils to understand. But I want to make it clear that in future, be it the problems of Tamil Eelams or Cauvery water issue or farmers problems or any justifiable problems of Tamil people, I will continue to speak for them. This is my stance. Producers who feel that they might get into a problem if they cast me; I request them to not feature this small actor and incur a loss because I prefer being called a rationalist Tamil and die rather than being called an actor. That’s what gives me pleasure and pride,” said Sathyaraj.

Sathyaraj further stated that he is sorry if he had hurt anyone and said he is not against to anyone personally. Sathyaraj said he had made those remarks nine years ago during Cauvery water crisis. And he urged not to stop the release of Baahubali 2.

This could be a happy ending finally !

SS Rajamouli Makes Earnest Appeal To Kannadigas

By Supraja