Bengaluru, October 22:  Pro-Kannada activists on Monday protested against the casting of Sunny Leone in a multi-lingual film ‘Veeramadevi’. Kannada Rakshana Vedike Yuva Sene alleged that casting Leone in the movie based alleging that this was an insult to the Indian Queen. The organisation also warned of a “Padmaavat-like” protest if she was not replaced. According to a report published in Hindustan Times, A couple of youth also cut their hands with blades a protest. The organisation’s youth wing president R Harish said that casting the Bollywood actress was not right as she was a popular porn star and she should not play a historical character who is an icon of Kannada and also built many temples. Sunny Leone Faces Sexual Harassment When She Was Just 18! Read the Actress’ Candid #MeToo Confession

Protests against Sunny Leone have started gaining momentum as the release date of the movie is drawing near. The protesters also claimed that they have purchased 230 tickets of Sunny Leone’s show which is scheduled in Bengaluru on November 3 to create a ruckus in the show. In September also, Members of Karave Yuva Sene, the youth wing of pro-Kannada outfit Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) tore the posters of 'Veeramahadevi' as a mark of protest against the presence of actress Sunny Leone as the lead role in the movie.

Similarly, in December 2017, the event in which the Bollywood actor was set to perform in was eventually cancelled as authorities said that they could not spare police force to provide security on New Year's Eve. The KRV was formed in December 2017 and rose to prominence following its protest against Leone. Veeramadevi, this is the first starring role for Sunny Leone in South. Directed by VC Vadivudaiyan, the movie is reportedly made on a budget of Rs 100 crore.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2018 09:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).