Sangolli Rayanna in trouble?

The Darshan-starrer Sangolli Rayanna, which is reportedly the most expensive Kannada film ever made, has run into trouble even before its release. The film, which chronicles the life of freedom fighter Sangolli Rayanna, has angered the inhabitants of the village of Sangolli, who have raised objections to a duet song that has been incorporated in the film and sequences showing the freedom fighter riding a horse.They maintain that Sangolli never knew how to ride a horse and that a duet was not necessary in a historical film about a patriotic figure.
The film���������s scriptwriter Kesavditya, however, says that their portrayal of Sangolli Rayanna is based on nothing other than fact. ���������How can somebody comment about the film even before it has released? We conducted a survey over the course of six months, took references and discussed the material with historical and literature experts before starting work on the film. And since this is a film, we need to have songs. Also, Sangolli Rayanna was a freedom fighter and he knew how to ride a horse. Let them watch the film and then comment.���������
Darshan adds, ���������I assure that this movie will not hurt the sentiments of anybody. I am big fan of Sangolli Rayanna, so how can I do injustice to a film about him? I request the people of Sangolli to watch my film and then tell me what they think. In case they feel anything is wrong, I will rectify it.���������
Other Kannada films that have got into trouble
The Upendra-starrer Katari Veera Surasundarangi, which was already hit by plagiarism allegations, upset the sentiments of pontiffs, and political and religious outfits, which claimed the makers��������� portrayal of Hindu gods was in bad taste.
A group of activists from the Bheema river basin took offence to the title of the Vijay film Bheema Theeradalli. They claimed that the film, which was based on the gangster Chandappa and his exploits, portrayed the people of the land in a poor light.
Bharathi Vishnuvardhan objected to the Sudeep-starrer Vishnuvardhana as she thought the film would be based on the life of her husband, the late Vishnuvardhan.
Contributed by Mahesh H