'RRR': Why is Twitter raging with #BoycottRRRInKarnataka since morning?
What's the story
After waiting for several months, SS Rajamouli's epic offering RRR is finally headed for its big-screen debut on March 25 across the world. But it seems like not everyone is happy with the period film, starring Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt, and Ajay Devgn. As, the hashtag #BoycottRRRInKarnataka has been trending on Twitter since Wednesday morning with netizens complaining about several things.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Ahead of the highly-anticipated film's release, RRR team has been promoting the Telugu movie countrywide. Recently, they were also a part of a starry event in Chikkaballapur, Karnataka, which was also attended by Kannada actor/producer Dr. Shiva Rajkumar. There, Rajkumar had urged Rajamouli to prioritize the release of the film's Kannada version in Karnataka. This seems to have sparked the current online dialog.
Details
What is the issue here?
At the top of the complaints seems to be the number of RRR shows that are being offered in the Kannada dubbed version in Karnataka. Many Twitter users have shared screengrabs of ticket booking sites such as BookMyShow, where we can see the movie has minimal screenings in the Kannada language. The maximum number of shows are running in the original language, Telugu.
Counter-claim
Portal tried to put up logic, didn't convince many
Meanwhile, the official Twitter handle of AndhraBoxOffice.com noted this issue has been a never-ending one for Tollywood biggies. "Kannadigas are used to watching films in original Telugu from many decades. [The] distributor is a Kannadiga. He will do business as per demand. Many films have tried and failed to find takers for Kannada shows," their tweet read. However, this logic didn't convince many.
Development
This is how the debate went
Netizens highlighted they were used to watching movies in Telugu as dubbing didn't exist. But now, when it's possible, it's outrageous to not have any/fewer Kannada shows in Karnataka. Another point of discourse was how even the Hindi/Tamil-language shows receive more slots than Kannada ones. Consequently, these boycott calls left Telugu movie fans upset, who threatened to boycott upcoming Kannada movies, like KGF 2.
Do you know?
Earlier, 'Pushpa' faced similar protests
RRR is not the first Telugu offering to face such opposition in recent times. Even before Allu Arjun's Pushpa got released, a similar boycott call was raised as the film's Kannada version had received much fewer theater slots than the ones in the Telugu language.