In the wake of the death of Chennai techie Subasri, caused by an illegal banner, actors Suriya, Vijay and Mammootty have taken a stance against erecting flex-boards, banners and cutouts for the release of their films Kaappaan, Bigil and Gaana Gandharvan, respectively.
The stars have appealed to their fan associations and the public to not use banner flex-boards or cutouts to market their films.
Suriya, at the press meet organised before the release of Kaappaan, requested his fans to not erect banners or cut-outs for him. “Please donate that money to schools,” the star said at the event. The film, directed by KV Anand, will release on September 20. Suriya’s fans in Tirunelveli said on Twitter that they will distribute 200 helmets in the region, while Suriya Fans Association in North Chennai has announced that it will adopt a government school. The actor’s fans in Thiruvalloor have announced that they will plant 1000 saplings to mark the release of Kaappaan.
Vijay, in a press release, asked his fan associations to not use banners or cutouts for the upcoming audio launch event of his film, Bigil, directed by Atlee, which is set to release in theatres on Deepavali.
Our Thalapathy for a reason ?? Your attitude when you have everything #NoHoardingsNoBanners #BigilAudioLaunch ♥️ pic.twitter.com/14lMapiIFI
— Archana Kalpathi (@archanakalpathi) September 14, 2019
Mammootty is the first star in the Malayalam film industry to take the crucial decision of not using banner flex-boards for his films. According to a Manorama Online report, the actor, in consultation with the director of Gaana Gandharvan Ramesh Pisharody and producer Anto Joseph, announced that only posters will be used for the offline promotion of the film.
Subasri, a 23-year-old engineer, died after an illegal hoarding put up by former AIADMK councillor S Jayagopal welcoming party leaders for a wedding in his family, fell on her bike. She lost her balance and fell, only to be run over by a tanker lorry in Pallikaranai on Thursday. The former councillor has been booked under Section 4 of The Tamil Nadu Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1959, for installing the hoarding without permission, and the Madras High Court rapped the State Government and bureaucrats for their irresponsibility.
On Friday, the State Government issued a statement appealing to all party cadres to avoid putting up flex boards, banners and hoardings that may inconvenience the public.
