FEFSI’s turn on Lankan issue

(November 03, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Now it’s turn for the Film Employees’ Federation of South India (FEFSI) to voice their concern over the sufferings of Tamils in Sri Lanka and also killing of Indian fishermen by the Lankan Navy.

FEFSI plans to organise a one-day token fast near Senthil Studio on Arunachalam Salai at Saligramam in Chennai on 5 November.

According to a press release, it is stated that about 10,000 employees belonging to FEFSI would take part in the fast. There would be no shooting schedule for both the silver and small screens on that day.

Tamil Film Producer’s Association president Ramanarayanan will lead the fast. Producers, South Indian Actors’ Association (SIAA), distributors, theatre owners, media coordinators will also take part, the release further said.

Sources said the cause of organising fast was to show ‘solidarity’ on the issue but the rift among the film fraternities has, now, challenged their ‘solidarity’.

It may be recalled that Tamil film actors politely excused themselves from the recent rally in Rameshwaram organised by ace director Bharati Raja citing preoccupation. Bharati Raja launched a campaign against virtually all the matinee idols of the South Indian Actors’ Association (SIAA) led by Sarath Kumar for staying away from the demonstration and public meeting in Rameshwaram.

He alleged the actor was attempting to use the State’s concern over the plight of Lankan Tamils to further his political career.

Several leading actors and technicians assembled at the South Indian Artistes Association (SIAA) for an eight-hour fast in support of Sri Lankan Tamils yesterday.

Sources close to the film industry said that some with ‘vested’ interest wanted to do ‘fishing in a troubled waters’. - Sri Lanka Guardian