Guhanathan Pressurised Actors: Nadigar Sangam

The South Indian Artistes Association, on Friday came out with a request to the Tamil Film Producers Council to condemn FEFSI person in command V C Guhanathan for acting unilaterally while organising a felicitation function for Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and for pressurising actors to take part in it.In a letter to the Producers Council, a copy of which was on the rampage to the media, Nadigar Sangam president R Sarath Kumar and general secretary Radha Ravi said, “Guhanathan unilaterally issued statements that actors and actresses would take out a procession. He also told the press that action would be taken against stars who fail to cooperate.”Stating that Nadigar Sangam, Producers Council and FEFSI were working together in various issues, they said that Guhanathan was causing a division within the film industry by his acts. “Hence we request the Produces Council to condemn him,” Sarath and Radha Ravi said.Ajith Kumar, while speaking at the felicitation occupation for the Chief Minister, alleged that some were pressurising actors to attend protests and functions. He appealed to Karunanidhi to protect actors from pressures to lend their support to various issues.“Actors only want to act and are not interested in taking a position on issues. But they have been lending support to various causes under extreme pressure. I request the Chief Minister to issue a direction that film personalities should not be arm-twisted to attend social and political events,” Ajith said at the function.It evoked a standing ovation from Superstar Rajinikanth, which afterward bowed into a thunderous applause from the audience.Now the simmering nervousness within the industry has taken political overtones.