(File – Image for representation only) Actor Vijay’s fans gathered outside Sri Vrinda cinema hall, Perambur to dance and celebrate the theatrical release of Leo movie on Thursday, some of them even showed their love for the star by pouring milk packets on the movie’s banner. | Photo Credit: Jothi Ramalingam B
Amid measures announced to regulate film-related activities, the Tamil Film Producers Council has refuted statements made by actor and Nadigar Sangam treasurer Karthi Sivakumar, in which he said that he had “not received any written complaint” against actor Dhanush, who has been accused of not fulfilling his commitments after receiving advances from producers.
The council has demanded that Mr Karthi withdraw his statement, adding that the producers are unable to bear the losses due to the “rising salaries” of actors and the daily expenses of filming.
A few days ago, Mr Karthi said that all decisions related to grievances and disagreements between the Producers Council and the Artists Association were resolved through dialogue and discussion. “However, the Producers Council has issued a unilateral statement… a complaint against an actor, and a strike. The grievance they have mentioned in their statement has not been brought to our notice,” he said.
Mr. Karthi added, “It is wrong for them (the council) to say that actors should not work anymore. It is not legal in the first place. A strike should not be called without discussing with various film bodies.”
In response, on 1 August the council said the decision to call a strike from 1 November was taken through the joint action committee, which comprises the Producers Council, the Tamil Nadu Film Distributors Association and the Tamil Nadu Theatre Owners Association. “We need to protect those who invest in films – producers, distributors and theatre owners – from financial ruin,” the council said in a statement.
Further, the council said that it is a tradition for actors to honour their commitment to the producers with whom they sign an agreement and receive an advance, and added that it is inappropriate for actors to give dates to other producers out of turn. “We are urging actors to specify the dates they will be available for. We are responsible for the safety of our members, just as they would want to protect their members,” the statement said.
Earlier, the Producers Council had taken some important decisions: extending the OTT release of a film featuring a lead actor by eight weeks from the time of its theatrical release; temporarily halting new productions from August 16; halting all film-related activities from November 1; and urging all those who wish to produce a film with actor Dhanush to contact them before making an advance payment.
