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Our protest is against decadence in cinema: PT

By Our Tamil Nadu Bureau

MADURAI JUNE 14. The Puthiya Tamizhagam's protest against the shooting of Sandiyar is not aimed at the actor, Kamal Hassan, or a single movie but is against the decadence that has set in in the Tamil film industry in recent times, the party leader, K. Krishnasamy, told newspersons here today. The intention behind protesting the filming of Sandiyar was to organise a people's movement against the Tamil cinema's role in degrading society. The title, Sandiyar, had wrong connotations and villagers, especially in southern districts, were aware of the behaviour of certain elements who called themselves so. Sandiyar meant a ``terrorist'' at the village-level, said Dr. Krishnasamy.

Asked why he opposed the film even without going through the story, he said the scriptwriter, Kamal Hassan, himself was responsible. The PT leader wanted to know why the actor-producer launched the movie in Madurai. Mr. Kamal Hassan had so far not made an attempt to justify the title or its relevance to his production. Sandiyar, he alleged, justified rowdyism, and ``they want violence glorified in art''.

The PT would not have any objection if the title, glorification of the ``aruval culture'' and caste symbols used in the film were removed. Dr. Krishnasamy said it was not proper on the part of Mr. Kamal Hassan to have attempted to meet the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, to seek security for the shooting, as the PT would anyway have staged agitations even in the presence of the police. However, he welcomed her decision not to provide police protection for the shooting.

In Tiruchi, T. Tirumavalavan, leader, Dalit Panthers of India, welcomed the stand taken by Ms. Jayalalithaa. He appealed to the State Government to take steps to ban films, which tended to incite caste-based clashes.

Film crew returns to Chennai

Meanwhile, the actors and the technical team of Sandiyar, which camped in a private hotel at Theni town for the past few days, returned to Chennai. A court set erected at Chettiyar hall, Uthamapalayam town, was also removed.

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