Superstar Rajinikanth’s ‘Lingaa’ directed by K.S.Ravikumar commenced in Mysore on May 2. The first schedule has been planned for 40 days in various locations in Karnataka that include Mysore, Mandya and Ramnagar.

A few Kannada factions have started protesting against the shoot of a Rajini starrer film anywhere in Karnataka. They have claimed that Rajini has hurt the sentiments of six crore Kannadiga’s living across the state, when the Cauvery river sharing issue between Karnataka and Tamilnadu came to the forefront in 2008.

Rajini allegedly said in a meeting organized in Chennai that those who blocked the share of Cauvery water deserved by Tamilnadu farmers should be beaten up. Though the actor had apologized to the people of Karanataka, for his comments, during the release of his film ‘Kuselan’ the protesters have given a new life to the issue now.

Gallery : Rajnikanth's 'Lingaa' Movie Launch

The protests are spearheaded by a particular faction called ‘Kasthuri Karnataka Janapara Vedhike’ and a few other groups have joined. For the past three days, they have been staging a sit-in protest opposite the district Collector office of Ramnagar to stop the shooting of the film. The protesters have threatened to unite all the Kannadiga organizations and launch a mass protest if the ‘Lingaa’ crew does not leave the state immediately. The protesters have also turned their ire towards ‘Rockline’ Venkatesh, a Karnataka based Producer who is funding ‘Lingaa’. They have alleged that Venkatesh, out of his profit motive has sold the interests of the people living in Karnataka.

Reacting to the protests and allegations upon him ‘Rockline’ Venkatesh has said that the protests are the handiwork of people seeking publicity. He said that people living in Karanataka know that Rajini is their well-wisher and they have utmost respect for the superstar.

Venkatesh has also claimed that he will never stop the ‘Lingaa’ shoot and the first schedule will be completed as planned. Meanwhile ‘Lingaa’ shooting is going on with the protection of 100 policemen posted at the shooting spot for security reasons.