Kantara actor Kishore: Do not let our movies become the pawns of bigoted politics

Actor Kishore, who played a prominent role in Kantara, responded to the controversy surrounding the film. The actor took to Instagram to share his views on why it's important to understand the film's portrayal of culture in the right sense.

"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?," he questioned.

Acknowledging the impact the film has created across the nation, the actor added, "Like any good movie, Kantara is uniting the people of the country surpassing the borders of caste, religion and language."

He went on to raise a pertinent point about the perils of attaching certain labels to the film. "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.

He ends his post on a serious note. "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."

Kantara, directed by Rishab Shetty, who also plays the lead role in the film, turned out to be one of the most acclaimed films of the year, generating tremendous buzz across the country and encouraging the makers to dub into it Hindi and other southern languages.

The film, which completed 25 days, crossed 77 lakh footfalls in Karnataka alone, becoming the most-viewed film in the state.