Fed up with being portrayed negatively in films, fishermen have written to the Kasimedu Fishing Harbour Management Committee, asking it not to allow film shoots inside the harbour.
On Saturday, a film crew was not allowed to shoot for a while and was allowed to resume only after the director gave a written undertaking that the film did not have any negative connotation about fishermen and north Chennai.
In the letter, a representative of Kalanjiam Cine Arts gave an undertaking that the film, titled Champion, was about a sportsperson and did not have any scenes that depicted residents of the area in a bad manner.
The letter also said they did not use any bad words.
“We let them continue with the shoot since they had paid the required fees of ₹2.88 lakh to the Chennai Port Trust,” said M.D. Dayalan of the Indian Fishermen Association.
Previously, a film company had shot inside the harbour for six months and when the movie Vada Chennai was released, there were objections galore.
“The harbour is our work spot. We can’t have outsiders intruding into our space,” Mr. Dayalan said.
‘Negative portrayal’
“We are fed up with north Chennai and the fishermen being portrayed negatively. Murders and crimes happen everywhere, not necessarily here. We are helpful people, and if there is an accident, our men will immediately run to assist them and not take selfies at the accident spot like others. Also, if someone misbehaves with women, our men will thrash them,” he said.
K. Bharathi of the South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association said such portrayals had only led to people having a bad perception about them.
“Films should instead attempt to correct the image they have created over the years,” he added.
