"I haven't hurt any of the Kannadigas personally, but I condemned those who caused for the outburst of violence in the state only", said Rajinikanth in an interview on Monday.

Talking to Kannada news channel Udaya, Rajinikanth said, "There is a malicious campaign taken place in the state against me by some people. I'm not an unwise person to blame all the people of Karnataka. I have never hurt the sentiments of any Kannadiga by taking part in the protest. It is my token of condemnation against those who unnecessarily damaged public property and attacked Tamil establishments over the Hogenakkal Joint Drinking Water Scheme."

Upset by the storm of criticism his remarks evoked in Karnataka, including a demand for his apology and threats to block screening of his films, the actor said: "Do these people, who are demanding my apology, represent 5.5 crore Kannadigas?" he asked in chaste Kannada.

"People know about me. I haven't done any wrong. But I am not averse to tender an apology if I had committed any wrong," he said. "If leaders like Parvathamma Rajkumar, Ambarish, Vishnuvardhan or Girish Karnad insist me to tender my apology, I will certainly come out with the same." Rajini said this sensationally.