Bengaluru: Sathyaraj, the actor, who has portrayed the role of Kattappa in Bahubali, has finally apologised to Kannadigas for a statement he had made nine years ago on the Cauvery water dispute which had created controversy.

Following Sathyaraj’s apology, pro-Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj and other pro-Kannada organisations, today withdrew their protests.

Kannadigas were outraged by the comments of actor Sathyaraj, who has portrayed the role of Kattappa in Tamil movie Bahubali. He had commented in 2008, during the Kaveri agitation. The speech which surfaced online, created a whole new controversy that Bahubali Director Rajamouli had to apologise and request Kannadigas to let his film release in Karnataka. The activists had also threatened Bengaluru bandh on April 28 as a mark of protest.

Kannada activist and former MLA Vatal Nagaraj, and dozens of like-minded organisations staged a protest in city and issued a statement saying allowing Bahubali-2 to be released in Karnataka without a public  apology from Sathyaraj would be a big blow to the self respect of Kannadigas. Some activists staged a demonstration outside the Karnataka Film Chambers of Commerce demanding a ban on all Tamil films.