Bengaluru: Days after right wing activists protested against Sandalwood star Chetan here in Chamarajanagar, he broke his silence on November 27 and said that he was not against Hindus and invited them for a debate instead of disrupting the release of his next movie “Athiratha.”
It may be recalled that several activists tore down banners of Chethan’s next movie “Athiratha” and agitated against him in Chamarajanagar. Chethan has come under fire and is facing backlash from pro-Hindu outfits for his support to demand for a separate religion status for Lingayats.
Addressing a press meet, Chethan said, “I am not against Hindus. Protests were held alleging that I am against Hindus and have opposed the release of my film ‘Athiratha’ which is not acceptable. Do not disrupt a work of art.”
He further said, “In a movie, not only an actor but several others have put in their hard work. The producers and directors invest a lot of money in it. Hundreds of crew members work day and night and are only dependent on the movie. I am just an actor in the movie. Many people are involved in making a film and they should not suffer just because a certain group with political intentions doesn’t agree with my viewpoint. Disrupting the release of any movie is not a good culture. I am not against Hindus. Hinduism accepts everyone and is tolerant towards other religions. I have questioned those who have one single agenda and our great Basavanna and Kuvempu inspire me”, he added.
Amid the raging cpntroversy over Deepika Padukone starrer epic period drama “Padmavati”, the right wing members here in Chamarajanagar on Sunday, tore down the posters of the newly released Chethan starrer Kannada movie “Athiratha.” They shouted slogans against the actor and called him “anti-Hindu” for his support to separate religion tag for Lingayat.
A social media campaign has been launched too against the actor and a meme posted on Facebook urges people not to watch his new movie “Athiratha” for “insulting” Hindu religion.
