''I PREFER BEING CALLED A TAMILIAN RATHER THAN AN ACTOR'', SATHYARAJ

In the release issue of Baahubali 2 in Karnataka, Sathyaraj had come out in the open and had expressed his regret to a television channel, an excerpt of which is as follows:

“Nine years ago, during the Cauvery issue, tempers were high on both sides and I had made a statement. Now I convey my heartfelt regret to Kannadigas. I am not against Kannadigas, in fact, my assistant Shekar is a Kannadiga.

I am a small worker in a big film Baahubali. I don’t want the efforts of many people to go down the drain because of my action or words. I also don’t want the distributors and theatre owners who have bought Baahubali 2 to suffer because of this. I have an additional responsibility to safeguard their interests too.

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 not to feature this small ordinary 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.

I request Kannadigas to accept my sincere regret and extend all your support to the release of Baahubali 2. I also wish to thank Tamil Eelam, Tamil people, Nadigar Sangam, TFPC, directors union and all other associations who have stood by me.

My thanks are due to director SS Rajamouli, producer Shobu Yarlagadda and the entire team of Baahubali”.

SATHYARAJ APOLOGIZES TO KANNADIGAS FOR THE BAAHUBALI 2 RELEASE ISSUE VIDEO