This story is from April 5, 2014

Fringe groups call the shots in K'wood

Inam happens to be the latest in what is growing to be a long list of films
Fringe groups call the shots in K'wood
Inam happens to be the latest in what is growing to be a long list of films being targeted by fringe groups that want to impose their views on filmmakers. Sadly, while there was a huge outcry during the Vishwaroopam episode, the film industry has stayed largely silent this time.
In fact, even as Lingu samy tried to resolve this issue, another group raised issues with Vadivelu's fantasy comedy Tenali Raman.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an industry insider says Kollywood is putting itself at a disadvantage by bowing down repeatedly to these groups, which are getting emboldened by the lack of strong opposition in the industry.
'In this particular case, Lingusamy and the film's director Santosh Sivan had screened the film for the protestors and had agreed to cut scenes they found controversial. What more do such groups expect? To go to the shoot of another film (Lingusamy's Anjaan), and create problems, only indicates that these groups are using films to get into the limelight,' he says.
Enquiries also reveal that some of the protestors even threatened to disrupt the shoot of Uttama Villain, the Kamal Haasan film that Lingusamy is producing, if he did not accede to their demands. Censor Board regional officer V Packirisamy feels the intelligentsia and filmmakers should be more concerned about such protests.
'India is a multi-ethnic society but we have one constitution. So, our guidelines are the same across the nation,' he says.
He says the state is duty bound to ensure that films are screened without any problem and only the censor board can certify the film as acceptable for public screening. 'Inam is one of the most important films of our time. Santosh Sivan has not taken any sides and observes the guideline of the cinematograph act. To go to theatres and protest in a violent manner is not acceptable,' he adds.

During earlier instances, one of the reasons given for the indecisiveness of industry people was the leadership confusion at the Tamil Nadu Film Producers' Council (TFPC). However, now that there is a proper set-up at the TFPC, industry people wonder why one of the most powerful bodies in the industry is silent. When we got in touch with its president KR, he said the TFPC actually played a behind-the-scenes role in sorting this issue. 'When Lingusamy approached us, we told him the pros and cons of screening the film. We guided him by suggesting that he could withdraw the film from theatres so that despite his financial setback, he would succeed in stopping these fringe groups from getting into the limelight.' He admits that a producer or a distributor voluntarily stopping the screening of his film sets a bad precedent.
'Politicians and such groups should understand that they are stopping people from watching a good film and also hurting the producer and the hundreds of people who have worked on the film,' he says and adds that the TFPC will definitely take up this issue with the government, post elections.
Recent films mired in controversy
1. Vishwaroopam
2. Vana Yuddham
3. Gouravam
4. Thalaivaa
5. Madras Caf'
6. Thuppaki
7. Inam
8. Tenali Raman
End of Article
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