Updated on Monday, April 07, 2008, 00:00 IST

Zeenews Bureau

Bangalore, April 07: The controversy surrounding the Hogenakkal water project seemed to worsen on Monday as the Kannada Rakshana Vedike, an outfit on the lines of Shiv Sena, demanded that superstar Rajinikanth should apologise for hurting the sentiments of Kannadigas by taking part in a protest organised by the Tamil film industry. Interestingly, sensing trouble the matinee idol had yesterday rejected the claims that he had insulted the people of Karnataka.

The Vedike has made it clear that unless the superstar apologises they won’t allow his films to screen in Karnataka nor would they allow him to enter Karnataka. The instant response to Rajini’s comments yesterday is a pointer to the cult status he enjoys even in Karnataka.

Rajinikanth had said, "It is a malicious propaganda unleashed against me by some people. I am not an unwise person to pass remarks that offend the sentiments of the people of Karnataka."

He had in fact explained that during the fast by members of the Tamil film industry association in Chennai last week, he only criticised those who were creating trouble saying that such people be ‘kicked.’

His clarifications came during an interview to a private Kannada news channel. The actor appeared upset by the storm created by his remarks, which included a demand for his apology.

The actor had said: "Do these people who are demanding my apology represent 5.5 crore Kannadigas?”

"I haven't done any wrong. But I am not averse to tendering an apology if I had committed any wrong," he said.

The latest controversy has erupted even after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s announcement on Saturday that the Hogenakkal drinking water project will be put on hold till elections in Karnataka are over.

Karunanidhi's stand had come as breather after widespread protests in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over the Hogenakkal project. All parties involved in the stalemate had hoped that it would lead to easing of tensions, but the controversy surrounding Rajinikanth has polarised the matters.

Even in 2002, Rajinikanth became the target of attack after he refused to participate in the Tamil film industry's rally on the Cauvery issue.

He then went on a much-publicised fast asking for a peaceful settlement and interlinking rivers.