The Nadigar Sangam rebel group comprising actors Vishal, Nasser, Karthi, Ponvannan and others have welcomed the Chief Minister’s announcement that her government would construct a manimandapam for legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan.
“This announcement vindicates our point that Nadigar Sangam has been dysfunctional in the last decade or so,” the members told a press conference at a studio in Vadapalani on Wednesday.
The group – called the Pandavar Ani – which has been meeting the members of the Nadigar Sangam across the State and canvassing for votes, said this would set the stage for a change at the helm of affairs in Nadigar Sangam.
Asked specifically if they would work towards depoliticising the Nadigar Sangam, actor Vishal said: “It will not be run like a school. Actors won’t be treated as students and the office-bearers will not behave as if they are the principal giving ultimatums and punishments. We have big ideas and will make sure that Nadigar Sangam is purely concerned only with improving welfare of its members.”
Training their guns at the current office-bearers, Nasser said,
“The land was given by the government to Nadigar Sangam in 2002. For the last 13 years, the Sangam did not manage to build a simple structure for one of the icons of Tamil film industry. It is a shame. We are happy that the government has taken note of it and decided to build the memorial itself.”
Elections
Vishal, who has been meeting the top actors of the film industry along with his team, including actors Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, urged the actors to come and vote in the elections, which are tentatively scheduled for September 27.
They recently met leader of Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam and former president of Nadigar Sangam, Vijayakant to discuss the issues of the association.
“We have requested all actors – both young and old – to come and vote in the elections. It has been ten years that we have had a proper election,” he said.
Say its sets stage for a change within the association
