RRR Karnataka distributors: Convincing reluctant theatres owners to play RRR Kannada version on in full swing

Since last evening, calls to boycott SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus RRR in Karnataka, which is releasing on March 25, has been gaining steam. The reason – despite having a massive pre-release event in the outskirts of Bengaluru, attended by the Karnataka chief minister BS Bommai and Hattrick Hero Shivarajkumar, when online bookings for the film opened this week, there was no option for a Kannada version. At the pre-release event, Shivarajkumar requested the RRR distributors in Karnataka to have more releases of Kannada versions in the state.

Venkat Konanki of KVN Productions, the Karnataka distributors of RRR had responded saying that priority would be given to the Kannada version’s release among the proposed 2,000 shows for the film in the state. Yet, on March 22, online booking options in Karnataka were only available for Telugu, Tamil and Hindi. Outraged fans took to social media, calling it an affront to Kannadigas and Shivarajkumar, in particular. Subsequently, a call to boycott the film, with #BoycottRRR began trending on social media.

Earlier today, bookings for the Kannada version of RRR opened, but as of March 23, 3 pm, it was at only three theatres, with a sum total of 8 shows only on March 25. Amid the furore surrounding no Kannada versions of the film, KVN Productions stated that all efforts were on to “convince reluctant theatre owners to play the Kannada version of RRR”. A statement from them read, “As you are aware, RRR is all set to hit the screens on the 25th of March. Ram Charan and NTR Jr have put in special efforts to learn Kannada and for the first time have dubbed in their own voices. We understand that you would love to witness the magnum opus in Kannada. Hence, the convincing act of with reluctant theatre owners to play the Kannada version of RRR in in fill swing. We will do everything in out control to bring the Kannada version to as many screens by tomorrow. We hope that you support us by watching the Kannada version and helping us add more screens across the state.”