Actor Vishal-led ‘Paandavar Ani’ is firm on contesting the election for new office-bearers for the South Indian Film Artistes Association scheduled on October 18.
“There is no question of a compromise and our team will contest the election”, Mr. Vishal told presspersons here on Thursday.
He said that after many years, elections are going to be held for the association in a free and fair manner and pleaded with all members to participate and exercise their franchise.
Mr. Vishal said some associations tried to intervene and bring about rapprochement between the two rival groups. He said that he respects their sentiments. There is nothing wrong in electing office-bearers in a democratic way through election.
The elections will in no way weaken the association and lead to a split. Instead, the elections will strengthen the association and unity among the fellow actors. “There is no question of creating a rift in the Sangam.”
All the other associations attached to the film industry such as Producers Council elect its new office-bearers only through elections and still they maintain unity, he said.
Refuting the allegation that he was trying to cause a split in the association for personal reasons, Mr. Vishal said he had no hidden agenda.
Replying to a question on whether Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will participate in the elections, Mr. Vishal said that all will be too happy if she prefers to cast her vote. The actors will remain ever grateful to her for such a gesture.
Actors Nasser, Vishal, and others who have been fielded for various posts visited the Salem Maavatta Nataka Nadigargal Sangam premises at Kallankuthu and garlanded the statue of Sangaradasa Swamigal at the entrance. Later, they addressed the drama artistes at a marriage hall seeking their support.
Senior actors Rajesh, Kovai Sarala, Karunas, Rohini and a host of actors were present on the occasion.
All you need to know about Nadigargal Sangam elections:
Nadigar Sangam elections-2015
The forthcoming Nadigar Sangam election is the hottest topic in the Tamil cinema industry today. The election on October 18 will determine who holds the coveted positions in the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association (SIFAA), popularly known as Nadigar Sangam. Former High Court judge, Justice E. Padmanabhan, will preside over the election, as per the Madras High Court orders. The elections are held once in three years, and during the last election in 2012, Sarathkumar was re-elected, unopposed for the third time.
Why should a judge oversee the elections?
In November 2010 trouble began Nadigar Sangam decided to demolish the existing building and construct a commercial complex. The association signed an agreement with a private company to lease out the land for 30 years. -
The idea was to construct a multi-storey building to house a multiplex and an exclusive space for the association.
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The old building was later demolished. In 2012, many members raised a voice of dissent against the move and filed a case against Sarathkumar and Radha Ravi.
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Actor Vishal and a few others began raising questions about the way Nadigar Sangam functioned.
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Vishal and his group insisted that the agreement with the private party be cancelled and asked for the Sangam to construct its own building.
| Team Sarathkumar | Team Nasser (Pandavar Ani) |
|---|---|
|
Supported by secretary Radha Ravi, Silambarasan, Urvashi, Poornima Bhagyaraj, Radhikaa Sarathkumar |
Supported by Vishal, Ponvannan, Karunas, Kushboo, Karthi and Kamal Haasan |
|
For leasing out the Nadigar Sangam building |
Against the move of allowing a private body to take over the Nadigar Sangam building |
|
Announced election on July 15, 2015 |
Vishal contested this in court and election, to be overseen by a judge, will be held on October 18 |
|
Alleged ‘wrong practices’ by other team to ‘win election’ |
"They decided to delay the polls, which should have been completed by May 31, this year, in accordance with the association’s by-law" |
Nadigar Sangam - How it all began
MGR
M.R.Radha
Sivaji Ganesan
The Nadigar Sangam was formed in 1952 by MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, M.R.Radha and a few others. MGR and company contributed funds and purchased 99 cents of land in Habibullah Road, T. Nagar, Chennai. When MGR became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977, the Nadigar Sangam constructed a new building, comprising a preview theatre, a gym and an office space.
Cast of characters
S.Ve.Sekar
After Vijayakant floated DMDK, S. Ve. Shekher, requested that active politicians not be allowed to head the Sangam. Vijayakant stepped down, and Sarathkumar took over in 2006.
Vijayakant
In early 2000, the association ran up a huge debt, which was cleared by Vijayakant, by organising a fund-raising event. Since then, the Sangam has taken to organising such events regularly.
Poochi Murugan
The old Sangam building was later demolished, and in 2012, Poochi Murugan (a member) filed a case against Sarathkumar, Radha Ravi for not adhering to norms.
Radha Ravi
Incumbent secretary of the Sangam. He has openly alleged his support to team Sarathkumar. Notably, his father M.R.Radha was a co-founder of the association.
Vishal
Raised voice of dissent against current management. Filed a case for a court-appointed date for conduct of election
Kushboo
Actor Kushboo says she will vote for actor Vishal's team in the elections. “New people must run it,” said the 80’s star
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan supported the nomination of his close collaborator, actor Nasser. The veteran actor also stated his support for a 'change.'
Rajinikanth
"I met Rajinikanth thrice and he wished me well for the elections," actor Sarathkumar has said.
