Bengaluru: The state-wide bandh called by the farmers and pro-Kannada organisations has garnered support from all corners. Kannada film industry too joined the protest by sitting for dharana near Karnataka Film Chambers office near Shivananda Circle.

Many actors like Shivarajkumar, Upendra, Shivaram, Puneeth Rajkumar, Darshan, Leelavathi, Jaggesh, Shruthi, Vijaya Raghavendra, Ragini, B C Patil and many others extended support for the bandh and protested against release of Cauvery water to Tamilnadu by wearing black cloth on their shoulder.

Shivanna irked by protesters

Senior actress Shruthi said that whole industry has come together not as artists but as Kannadigas in support of farmers. Meanwhile, during protest, Shivraj Kumar got annoyed seeing fans cheering for their favorite actors. “We are here for a serious issue. One should know why you or we assembled. Do not cheer us, do not whistle. Extend your support for Cauvery,” he said.

Meanhwile, several major IT firms like Infosys, Wipro and over 400 multinationals have supported the bandh. Even the chemists, banks and restaurants have joined the protests which has brought Karnataka to halt. The protests first began in Mandya following Supreme Court ordering 15000 cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu for the next 10 days. The state is already in distress due to insufficient rainfall and dams do not have enough water for the state itself.