Directors rally behind held activists

Speaking at a press conference, filmmaker P Bharathiraja, who presided over the meet attended by 7 other film-makers, wondered as to what the detained activists had done other than holding a candle light vigil. 

“The observance of a vigil even in violation of the public order was democratic in nature. Thirumurugan criticised the Centre. How can you detain him under Goondas Act? What were the violent acts the activists resorted to, warranting preventive detention?” Bharathiraja asked. 

He made a veiled reference to the hype created over superstar Rajinikanth’s entry into politics. “Let’s not beg and wake up those who know nothing about politics,” adding that anyone can enter politics, but only those from the soil can assume the leadership role. 

Blaming the state government and the Opposition, the veteran film director opined that the state has become the ‘yes man’ of the Centre rather standing up for its denizens on various issues. 

“The state will not question the Centre since they’ve had things to hide. We have come together with 8 film directors here as creative artistes, and question the Centre and state on this issue because we have nothing to hide,” Bharathiraja said.

Director Gowthaman warned that they would conduct a candle-light vigil in remembrance of the Tamil genocide in Sri Lanka every year. “If immersion of idols is permitted on the Marina, the same yardsticks are to be applied to others,” he added. 

Film director Ameer reiterated that they would raise their voice against the Centre and that they would not be cowed down by the scare tactics. Directors Vetrimaran and Ram rued that there was no space for dissent, while directors Kamalakannan and Bramma blamed it as an attempt to wipe out the history by depriving the lot from remembering the victims of genocide.