Â´ChristianÂ´ Charlie ChaplinÂ´s statue sparks controversy

Â´ChristianÂ´ Charlie ChaplinÂ´s statue sparks controversy
- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant Let us know what you think about this story

Udupi (Kar), Mar 14 (PTI) After pub-going women and lover couples, Charlie Chaplin has become the latest victim of saffron wrath in Karnataka, with a "Hindu" group objecting to installation of a statue of the famous Hollywood comedian in Kundapur taluk here on the grounds that he was a Christian. Ever since the project to install the 67-ft statue at the Ottinene beach was launched by him, it was facing protests, Hemanth Hegde, director of Kannada Film "Houseful", told reporters today but refused to blame any particular group.

Some activists claiming to represent "a Hindu organisation" yesterday descended on the project site and halted the work.

This is the second time the project was facing problems, Hegde said but added "I don't want to name anyone that they belong to Bajrang Dal or any other organisation." The project has been launched with the support of a leading garment export firm at a cost of Rs 35 lakh.

Hegde has plans to shoot two song sequences of his film using the statue. Work on the statue is expected to be completed by April five.

He said the protesters first claimed that the statue would affect the nearby Someshwara temple but later argued that "Chaplin is a Christian and his contribution to India is nil."

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