Ganesh and Ravichandran-starrer "Mungaaru Male 2," which is also spelt as "Mungaru Male 2," was released worldwide on Saturday, Sept. 10. But the Kannada film has failed to see the light of the day in Tamil Nadu due to the ongoing Cauvery row.
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According to a TV channel, the release of "Mungaru Male 2" was cancelled after theatres in Karnataka refused to screen Tamil movies fearing attacks from the pro-Kannada groups due to the ongoing fight between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on Cauvery water-sharing issue. As a result, the new Tamil movie, "Iru Mugan," has not been released in Karnataka.
The TV channel claimed that "Mungaru Male 2" was taken off theatres in retaliation. However, director Shashank denied the report and told International Business Times, India that they themselves voluntarily decided to withhold the release.
"We decided to postpone the release of 'Mungaru Male 2,' which was supposed to happen on Friday, soon after the Kannada outfits called for a bandh. On Tuesday, we took a decision to withhold the Kannada movie's release in Tamil Nadu as it was not appropriate to release the flick when both the states are at loggerheads over the Cauvery issue," he said.
Talking about the grand release worldwide, the director added, "Mungaaru Male 2" has been released big worldwide in 325 screens. In Karnataka alone it has been released in over 270 theatres. Except Tamil Nadu, it is being screened in other parts of India, including Mumbai, Chandigarh and Hyderabad."
"Mungaaru Male 2," which has been released simultaneously in the U.S., U.K. and Australia, stars Neha Shetty as the female lead and Aindrita Ray in a pivotal role.
Meanwhile, sources say that "Mungaaru Male 2" has got a fantastic opening at the box office. Going by the response for the advance booking, the Kannada movie is heading towards doing a great business on the first day.
