Kollywood Stages Hunger Strike in Support of Jayalalithaa
CHENNAI: Expressing solidarity with jailed AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa, a former actor, members of the Tamil cinema industry today embarked on a day-long "silent fast" here today.
Various industry associations, including Tamil Nadu Producers' Council (TPFC) and South Indian Artists' Association (SIAA) besides others and small screen personalities participated in the fast.
Noted actor R Sarath Kumar, MLA, directors Vikraman and Liaqath Ali Khan, producers S Thanu and T Siva among others joined the protest, which is scheduled to end at around 6 PM.
Shooting of films and TV serials in and around Chennai were suspended even as cinemas cancelled shows till 6 PM in a show of solidarity with the jailed AIADMK supremo.
Jayalalithaa was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 100 crore on September 27 by a Bangalore special court judge, who found her guilty in the Rs 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case.
Top stars such as Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth were not present. Reportedly, both of them are busy shooting out of the state.
'No Threat or Compulsion'
Sarath Kumar Tuesday said that the Tamil film fraternity is not observing a fast here under any "threat" or "compulsion". They are doing it to show solidarity with former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa.
"We have gathered here not under any threat or compulsion from any individual or party. Amma (Jayalalithaa) has supported our film industry in many ways. We are here to extend our support," Sarath Kumar told reporters here.
Vikraman reiterated that they were not "protesting" against the verdict.
"This is not a protest. We are not happy with the verdict and we have gathered to show our support to Amma. We hope she gets acquitted from the case and returns to serve us as the chief minister soon," Vikraman, President of the Tamil Nadu Film Directors Association, said
