If Kamal Haasan wishes, ready to meet and discuss why we want apology: KFCC
Bengaluru, Jun 3 (PTI): If actor Kamal Haasan wants, we can meet and discuss why we want him to render an unconditional apology, said Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) on Tuesday, post an emergency executive committee meeting.
In a statement issued by KFCC, which reiterated the demand that the actor, director and producer must apologise, it said that it is willing to meet and discuss this with him as decided in the court.
"Since Kamal Haasan has told the Karnataka high court that he will not be releasing the film as planned, that issue has become irrelevant. But we stand by our demand for an apology from him. Further action will be taken as per the order of the court," read the statement.
Haasan had said 'Kannada was born out of Tamil' at a promotional event in Chennai for his upcoming Tamil film 'Thug Life', sparking a backlash in Karnataka, prompting KFCC to announce that the film would not be screened in the state unless Haasan apologised.
Earlier in the day, M Narasimhalu, President of KFCC, also told PTI that as the matter is in court now, KFCC will do what the court tells them to do.
He had also confirmed that KFCC executive committee members would meet once Karnataka High Court issued an order.
Raaj Kamal Films International, helmed by Haasan and one of the producers of 'Thug Life', had filed a petition at Karnataka High Court seeking "protection" on June 2.
When the matter came up for hearing before Justice Nagaprasanna on Tuesday, the counsel for petitioner Raaj Kamal Films International maintained that there was no malice and an apology was not warranted and submitted that the screening of the movie would not be insisted upon in Karnataka till the issue gets resolved through dialogue.
The court posted further hearing of the petition to June 10.
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Pak, Afghan forces trade fire along Chaman border: Report
Islamabad (PTI): A heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces was reported from the key Chaman border, according to a media report on Saturday.
Injuries were reported from the district hospital, but no fatalities occurred, the Dawn newspaper reported.
Officials from both sides accused each other of instigating the flare-up late on Friday night across the border in the Balochistan province.
While Pakistani officials said that Afghan forces had fired mortar shells on the Badani area, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed it was Pakistan that launched an attack on Spin Boldak, alleging that their forces were responding.
Pakistan's official sources told Dawn that Pakistani forces retaliated against the Afghan aggression and returned fire.
There were also reports of fighting on the Chaman-Kandahar highway, but these could not be immediately verified.
A senior official in Quetta confirmed on condition of anonymity that the exchange of fire started around 10 pm and continued until late at night.
The medical superintendent of Chaman district hospital said that three injured, including a woman, were brought to the medical facility.
There was neither any official word from the Inter-Services Public Relations -- Pakistan Army's media wing -- nor from the Foreign Office.
The Chaman border crossing, also known as Friendship Gate, connects Balochistan province to Afghanistan’s Kandahar.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated amidst regular allegations by Pakistan regarding the failure of the Afghan regime to deny safe havens to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan terrorists.
The two countries had agreed on a ceasefire following tensions last month, but the Foreign Office said last month that technically there was no truce as it was contingent on the Afghan Taliban stopping terrorist attacks in Pakistan, which they had failed to do.
