South Indian Film Artistes Warned Again

(October 31, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) South Indian Film Artistes Association president Sarath Kumar today warned actors and actresses to curb their emotions and not speak anything against law at the one day fast organised by the artistes association here tomorrow to express their solidarity for Lankan Tamils.


In a press release here, Sarath Kumar said all prominent artistes would turn up for the fast at the Nadigar Sangam premises between 8 am and 4 pm.

Sounding a stern word of caution to his colleagues, Sarath Kumar said, ‘while expressing our sympathy to the Lankan Tamils, we have to ensure that we don’t say anything against the law of the land or hurt the sentiments of any individual or group’.

His statement assumes significance following the arrest of directors Ameer and Seeman on charges of sedition for making pro-LTTE speeches at a protest organised for the same cause in Rameswaram on 19 October.

Also, a protest meet organised by the Tamil filmdon for the vexatious Hogenakkal issue ended up in controversy with actors like Sathyaraj spewing venom at their own colleagues in the industry.

‘We are going ahead with the day-long fast at the Nadigar Sangam premises only to show our solidarity for the Tamils in the island nation,’ sources in the Nadigar Sangam said.

Urging the members of the Nadigar Sangam to contribute for the Sri Lankan Tamils Relief Fund, Sarath Kumar sought the co-operation of all other film associations for the mega fast tomorrow.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the fast and a grand dais has been erected at the Nadigar Sangam premises for the purpose.General public would be allowed to visit the place.

The honchos of the association called on City Police Commissioner R Sekar yesterday and submitted a letter seeking permission and co-operation to divert traffic and provide security arrangements at the Nadigar Sangam. - Sri Lanka Guardian