Actor Rajnikanth on Friday blasted senior political leaders of Karnataka for politicising the Hogenakal row, and called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to nip the issue in the bud lest it went theRajnikanth Cauvery way. The entire Tamil film industry, including artistes of Kannada origin, observed a token fast here to condemn attacks on theatres screening Tamil films and Tamil institutions in Karnataka, over the water project. "When the Hogenakal issue had been settled between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka long ago, should not those who raise it now with an eye on the elections, be kicked?' Rajni fumed. Without naming BJP's B S Yeddyurappa, he said, "A senior leader of a national party instigates agitation, all because elections are due in Karnataka.' In an apparent reference to Congress leader S M Krishna, he said, "Another senior leader who has returned from Bombay says the provocation has come from Kalaignar (Karunanidhi).' "You speak the truth,' he hit back at Krishna. He said the stand taken by the two leaders was "a disgrace'. The actor also appealed to senior leaders H D Deve Gowda and his son Kumaraswamy not to make Hogenakal row an election issue. South Indian Film Artistes Association president Sarath Kumar and Vijayakanth said just as the Left parties were using their clout with the Centre to block the nuclear deal, the DMK should see to it that the Union government helped in the execution of the project. If necessary, Karunanidhi should pull DMK out of the UPA government, Kumar said. Other actors, including Kamal Hassan, were rest-rained for fear of provoking further backlash against Tamils in Karnataka. Shootings were cancelled for the day and cinemas cancelled noon and matinee shows.