Even as political parties in the State are up in arms against the screening of DAM999, a film depicting the dangers likely to be caused by the breach of the Mullaperiyar dam, a group of MDMK activists entered into a studio where the film was screened for preview and took away the film rolls.
The English film, directed by Sohan Roy, a Malayalam filmmaker, has been dubbed into Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
On Tuesday, led by party deputy general secretary Mallai Sathya, MDMK men barged into the Prasad studio in Vadapalani and took away the film rolls kept for screening. A total of 23 persons, including Mr Sathya, were arrested by the police.
“We went there to stage a protest in peaceful manner. As our efforts failed to stop the screening of the film, we took away the film rolls,” said Mr Sathya.
Calling upon theatre owners of Tamil Nadu not to screen the film, which is to be released on November 25, he said the MDMK could not be held responsible for the any adverse consequences if they went ahead with the screening.
“Mullaperiyar Dam is a life and death issue for people in five districts. If the dam is demolished these districts will become deserts,” he said.
MDMK general secretary Vaiko said while Tamil Nadu was supplying vegetables, milk, rice and meat to Kerala on a regular basis, the Kerala government remained ungrateful to all the help extended by its neighbour.
“If the Indian government is interested in preserving the integrity of the nation, it should not allow the screening of the film in any part of the country,” Mr. Vaiko said.
PMK leader S. Ramadoss alleged that the film was funded by Malayalees in United Arab Emirates and if screened it would disrupt the peace both in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
He said Chief Minister Jayalalithaa should prevail upon the Centre to ban the film in India.
Puthiya Tamizhagam leader K. Krishnsamay also sought a ban on the film.
