A group of dissenting producers led by SVe Sekhar and Suresh Kamatchi have petitioned the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy about the alleged irregularities in the current leadership of the Tamil Film Producers Council.
In their petition, the producers say that they want a fresh round of elections to be held. They also alleged that Vishal-led council regularly made decisions that were in direct violation of council rules and regulations. They also say that the team spent around Rs 7.8 Crores that is stipulated as the Council fund without informing the general body. They also requested the CM to appoint a retired Judge or IAS Officer to head a new Executive Council till an elected leadership can take over. They wanted a team of Government experts to look into the financial dealings of Vishal since the time he took over as President. The dissenting producers said that they were afraid that due to Vishal’s self-serving leadership, their hopes of a better future have been spoilt.
The team also requested the CM to restart the practice of recognising talent from the industry through annual award ceremonies. The State Film Awards were discontinued sometime back. Now, the producers have asked for this event to be brought back.
The group has asked for the CM to start Amma Theatres as envisioned by late J Jayalalithaa; provide money for Tamil film producers who lost their livelihood and are living in penury; and a central ticketing system for theatres across the State.
While Minister Kadambur Raja has said that the State will not intervene in the Producer Council issue, it remains to be seen if Edappadi Palanisamy accedes to their demands.
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Meanwhile, actor Vishal was held by the Police when he attempted to break the lock to the TFPC office in Chennai. The dissenting producers had locked both offices of the Council in protest against Vishal earlier this week and handed over the keys to the Police. The actor reportedly got into a heated argument with the Police. He was later taken away from the location by the Police, the actor’s spokesperson said.
In a tweet on his social media account, Vishal said that the Police who did nothing to prevent ‘unauthorised’ people from locking the office premises have now arrested him. He said that he would fight back against this and do everything in his power to make sure that the Ilaiyaraaja event is conducted.