Friday, April 4, 2008

ACTORS AND ACTRESSES TAKE PART IN THE FAST AGAINST TAMILS BEING ATTACKED BY A SECTION OF KANNADIGAS IN BANGALORE AND ELSEWHERE IN THE KARNATAKA STATE.

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

LAST WEEK PEOPLE ENJOYED THE CRICKET PLAY OF VIRENDRA SEHWAK WHO SCORED MORE THAN 300RUNS FROM THE CHENNAI'S CHEPAUK GROUNDS. THEN THE PEOPLE SAID IT WAS A RECORD IN THE LIFE OF SEHWAK. THE NEXT WEEK, THE CHEPAUK AREA WITNESSED ANOTHER EVENT- FAST OF VARIOUS TAMIL FILM ACTORS - NEAR THE CHEPAUK STADIUM'S GOVERNMENT ESTATE.

THE MAN OF THE FAST AWARD GOES TO ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN IT. MORE THAN 10,000 PERSONS FROM THE TAMIL FILM INDUSTRY IN VARIOUS DISCIPLINES PARTICIPATED IN THE FAST TO PROTEST AGAINST THE TAMILS BEING ATTACKED IN BANGALORE AND ELSEWHERE IN KARNATAKA.

THE FAST HAD BROUGHT OUT THAT SOME POLITICIANS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UNREST BETWEEN THE PEOPLE OF THE TAMIL NADU AND KARNATAKA.

ALL THE FILM ACTORS AND ACTRESSES TOOK AN OATH THAT THEY WOULD STAND BESIDE THE TAMIL NADU GOVERNMENT AND THE CHIEF MINISTER OF TAMIL NADU TO SOLVE THE HOGENEKAL JOINT WATER PROJECT.
















BOTH THE STATES AND THE CENTRE SHOULD SOLVE THE HOGENAKKAL PROJECT- RAJINI





Superstar Rajnikant, Kamal Hassan, Suriya, Dhanush, Murali, Arjun and many Kollywood film stars went on an eight-hour fast here on Friday to expressed their solidarity and support to the Tamil Nadu Government for its Hogenakkal water project and denounced the attacks on cinema theaters screening Tamil movies in Bangalore and other parts of the Karnataka State.

The presence of Rajnikant, a native of Karnataka who attained stardom in Tamil film industry, added fizz to the strong response from the film fraternity, which transcended linguistic differences and joined hands to condemn the attacks on cinemas, buses and Tamil newspapers published from Bangalore.

Following the Super Star foot steps, many of his fans in the Salem district observed fast in front of the Collectorate. The fans of the Super Star outnumbered the total strength of the film industry that observed fast in Chennai, today, said a person who just arrived at the venue from Salem.

Besides Rajnikant other popular actors like Murali and Arjun, also natives of the Karnataka state, joined the fast, on the specially erected stage in Chepauk here where thousands of fans converged to have a glimpse of their stars and to hear their speeches denouncing the attacks. It is to be remembered it was at the same time many cricket fans watched the 20-20 Cricket Test Match was played between India and South Africa.

Rajnikant, in his brief comments to the media, said politicians should resolve the differences and find a solution to the water project.

"This is a sensitive national issue and concerns the sovereignty and integrity of the nation," he said.

Several actors from Tamil film industry, including top Malayalam stars like Jayaram, addressed the gathering calling for restraint and understanding.

The star-studded fast, organised by South Indian Artistes' Association, the Film chamber and the producers council, saw actors-turned-politicians Sarathkumar and Vijayakant, sharing the dais with Rajnikant and actress Shreya.

Vijayakant, without naming any party in Karnataka, said it was the elections which made these parties rake up the issue for political mileage.

"Why is this unnecessary fight over drinking water, which has even led to buses being damaged," he said in an apparent reference to the violence in the two states.

Most of the speakers expressed fears that the opposition to the project could harm India's sovereignty and integrity, echoing Chief Minister and DMK Karunanidhi comments at a function here on March 30.

Some speakers also called for immediate intervention of the Centre, with a view to maintaining the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

The fast figured prominently in the state assembly which extended its greetings and goodwill. Leader of the House and Finance Minister, K Anbazhagan, while responding to a request by Vijayakant, said the film industry was sending across a message to Karnataka by staging the peaceful protest.

The presence of starlets such as Trisha and Nayantara, two of the top heroines of Tamil cinema, added to the glamour quotient to the fast.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

NO CINEMA SHOWS IN THEATERS ON FRIDAY

N.THYAGARAJAN

The Tamil Nadu Cine Theaters Association have decided not to screen any films in Tamil Nadu theaters in support of the Chennai-fast to be observed by people connected with the film industry. According to a press-release by the Association of the Cine Theater Owners, screening of all the shows will go off with the morning and evening shows.

Some of the college unions have also given their consent in support of the fast, it was learnt.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

TAMIL FILM ACTORS TO GO ON HUNGER STRIKE IN CHENNAI


N.THYAGARAJAN

More than 200 actors belonging to the Tamil film industry, members and staff of the South Indian Film Artistes Association, Film Directors Union, members of the various film federations numbering more than 10,000 will observe one day fast near the Chennai Chepauk Stadium, from where more than a lakh of persons enjoyed the 20-20 Cricket Match between India and South Africa was played last week.

The main aim of organising the fasting is due to the Kannadigas attack on the innocent Tamils living in Bangalore and other parts of the Karnataka state in protest against the Hognekal Project. The Kannadigas who could not treat the Hognekalk Project officially have indulged in the activities of attacking the Tamils living there. Besides, the fanatic Kannadigas started attacking the cinema theaters which screened Tamil films. The cable operators in Karnataka have stopped telecasting the Tamil channels too. It is said, that though the Karnataka government had given promise that the Tamils would be protected, the attack of Kannadigas on the Tamils settled their continue.

In the Chennai-fast besides the participation of the Tamil film industry workers, some of the college unions have also given their consent to support the fast at the Chennai Chepauk near the Government House.

Super Star Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan and many other leading actors and actresses are cancelling their Friday shootings and joining the fast. Similarly, actors and actresses who are in the busy schedules in other states and countries have also explicitly stated that they too would participate in the fast. Hence, the shooting outside the Tamil Nadu and India have been cancelled.

A big stage was erected for the people who observe fast. Police permission have been obtained to organise the one-day-fast.

The South Indian Film Actors Union will be taking vigorous steps against the actors who boycott the Chennai-fast and making absence without getting prior permission. Though the Super Star Rajnikanth, Action King Arjun belonged to the Karnataka State had given their consents to participate in the fast without forseeing the repercussions that they will have to face with their own Kannadigas.

It is likely the fastings will be started from 9 AM and will end around 6 PM.

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

TAMIL FILM ACTORS TO GO ON HUNGER STRIKE

BY N.THYAGARAJAN

Tamil film actors will go enmasse hunger strike on April 4 at Chennai. A decision to this effect was taken on Tuesday at the Film Artistes' Association in which actor Sarath Kumar and many other participated in the meeting. According to the association, a section of Kannadigas in Bangalore and other parts of the Karnataka played their role in protesting against the Tamil film shows in cine theaters. Many Kannadigas, tore the posters and other cut-outs of the Tamil films. Following the protests, the Tamil Film Artistes Association took the decision to show their protest against the Kannadigas who were responsible for the protest of screening of Tamil films in Karnataka Film theaters.

It is known,that the Kannadigas were dead against the Hogenekal Joint Water Scheme.