‘To Incite Bigotry Is A Greatest Failure', Kantara Actor Kishore Defends Film Amid Criticism

Rishab Shetty's Kantara is doing wonders at the box office. The film is breaking records, one of which includes beating KGF to become the 2nd highest-grossing Kannada film ever. Amid all the glory, there’s gloom. The film has fallen into controversy after some set of society objected to the Bhoota tradition being a part of the Hindu religion and some claimed it to be not a part of it.

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When did the controversy begin?

It all started back when in October, Kantara’s actor-director Rishab Shetty said during an interview that the Bhoota Kola tradition (followed in the Dakshina Kannada region) which came into light after the movie’s success was a part of Hindu culture. He had said, “The gods in Kantara are all part of our tradition and it is indeed a part of Hindu culture and rituals. Because I am a Hindu, I have belief and respect for my religion. What we have said is through the element that is present in Hindu dharma.”

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One of the actors from the film, Kishore Kumar Huli, who plays a pivotal role in Kantara opened up on the ongoing controversy and defended the film.

He wrote on Instagram, "Kantara and Dharma - A request of concern to those who are painting the color of Dharma on our Folk deities, the Bhoota of kola and the Daiva of Nema. Why do we fail to see the color of Adharma in the practice of untouchability, which does not allow the person who wears the vesha of the same daiva into the house belonging to the upper caste feudals, and the cleansing with holy water when he enters their house? Why do we fail to see the dharma of Garnalu Saheb's ultimate sacrifice by bursting a bomb to save his people??"

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Kishore expressed that like any other good cinema, Kantara attempts to unite the people by surpassing the borders of caste, religion and language.

"Through entertainment, people are being made aware of many social issues. By using such a movie to incite superstition and bigotry and divide people, the greatest of successes can become greatest of failures for humanity. Think for a moment before falling prey to the brokers of hatred, who have already hijacked the national anthem, flag, logo and poets, who have used and abused crores of freedom fighters including Patel Gandhi Bose Nehru, just for Vote. Think for a moment before they hijack our cinemas too. Our movies are our pride. Do not let them become the pawns of bigoted politics," he added.

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