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Rajakumar willing to help secure Nagappa's release

Kannada film star Rajakumar, who was abducted more than two years ago by Veerappan, has said he is willing to help negotiate the release of the bandit's latest hostage, H Nagappa.

But Rajakumar clarified that what he means is that he is willing to mediate between the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Neither of the chief ministers has approached him yet, but if they do, he is willing to co-operate.

"I do not remember the topography of that forest land too well," he admitted. "After all, it was all dense forest, and we travelled mostly at night."

He pointed out that he and his family, more than anyone else, could understand the trauma of Nagappa's family. "I spoke to the family members and told them to be brave," he said. "That was the message I was trying to convey to my own family when I was in custody."

He also hoped that Veerappan would not keep Nagappa captive for as long as himself. "I really thought he would let me go in two or three days. I never imagined he would hold on to me for so long [108 days]," he said.

But Rajakumar insisted that the diversion of police personnel in the region for his own visit to his hometown Gajanur, his first since his abduction, did not leave Nagappa exposed. His family too denied this strenuously.

The star expressed concern at a situation in which anyone could be abducted so easily. This situation prevailed only in the days of the British, he recalled.

Would Rajakumar be willing to go into the forest to mediate with Veerappan himself? "Such a request has not been made so far," the actor's wife Parvathamma said. "Let's not put the idea into the brigand's head, please!"

Their son Raghavendra, also an actor, hastened to add: "There were no negotiators as soon as our father was abducted. Nedumaran himself came forward much later. Someone like that will come forward, should the need arise."

Finally, did Rajakumar feel that this abduction drama was almost like a replay of his experience? "Aa baddimaga onde tune nudistha idda..." the star said with a smile. "That rascal used to play the same tune on his wretched flute all the time. Maybe he uses the same strategy every time too!"

The Nagappa Abduction: complete coverage
The Rajakumar Abduction: complete coverage
The saga of Veerappan

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