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Rajakumar's release
becomes a rallying point

M D Riti in Bangalore

Will a rally a day bring Dr Rajakumar this way?

The abducted film star's sons are not sure about that, but they find themselves unable to wait for courts to conduct the next Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act case hearing on October 11.

Rajakumar's sons Shivaraj Kumar, Raghavendra and Puneet will participate in silent processions in various districts, in conjunction with the All Karnataka Rajakumar Fans' Association and the Kannada film industry. They held one in Bangalore five days back, and since then organised them in Mysore, Hassan and Chikmagalur.

The three, perched atop jeeps or vans, ride slowly through towns, waving at crowds, sometimes shaking hands with fans who manage to breach police cordons. Accompanying them is Rajakumar's daughter Poornima's husband Ram Kumar, also a popular film star, who has modelled his acting style on his illustrious father-in-law. Rajakumar's other daughter Lakshmi's husband S A Govindaraj is among those being held hostage by forest brigand Veerappan.

Several other film personalities, like producer Rockline Venkatesh, and ageing actresses Malashree and Jayanthi, participated in some rallies, along with fans' association president S R Govindu. In Mysore, even the town mayor joined the procession.

In the light of Govindu's request to the state government not to hold the Dassera festivities in Mysore this year, one wonders about the implications of the mayor's gesture.

The Kannada film industry, which was to resume work on Monday, could not for many reasons, the main being the bandh on September 28. Police officer-cum-actor, first-time director and producer B C Patil, who had scheduled the muhurat of his much-delayed film Lankesha on Monday, postponed it at the last minute, mainly because he decided there was no point in resuming work and halting it in two days.

Work on other films too could not resume for another insurmountable reason: several stars have grown long beards that they have vowed not to shave before Rajakumar returns, and could not face the floodlights with unshaven looks!

Finance was the third problem. Most producers have lost millions on interest on borrowed money during the six-week film industry bandh. Now, they are finding it difficult to resume, due to huge debts.

The industry is also divided on the issue of resuming work before the return of Rajakumar. Theatres have begun screening films, but there is no momentum in shooting and related activities in the industry.

The question of whether Shivaraj and his brothers will really try to enter the forest to rescue their father on September 29 seems moot, as the brothers seem desperate and angry now. Puneet had said that he wanted to drive his jeep into the forest the very first day. Now his less impetuous brothers seem inclined to agree with him.

The state government is tight-lipped about what steps it will take to ensure a peaceful bandh. That it will be completely successful is a foregone conclusion, with Rajakumar's family and the fans' association as sponsors. Most offices have declared a holiday, too.

Rajakumar's wife Parvathamma made her ninth radio broadcast to her husband and Veerappan on Monday, saying, "If you don't come back soon, I will also come to the forest to be with you."

She added, "I did not cry until now, but I can longer manage or even live without seeing you."

Her broadcast was recorded at Mallya hospital, from where she will be discharged on Wednesday.

The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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