Chennai: With the Nadigar Sangam elections scheduled for October 18, battle lines seem to have been drawn clearly. Vishal of the ‘Pandavar Ani’ is emphatic that there is no question of compromise or backing out from the elections. “We are going ahead with the elections. We will fight till the end and bring the change that is needed for the Sangam”,” he declared.
The other faction led by Sarath Kumar alleges that “external forces have instigated Vishal and Karthi.” Radhikaa Sarath Kumar is also peeved at the fact that legends like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan are keeping mum on the issue.
With both sides preparing themselves to fight it out, the starry elections seem to be heading for a battle royal. Even as the tussle goes on, powerful bodies of the industry, namely Tamil Film Producers Council, Directors Association, Film Employees Federation of South India and PRO Unions jointly told the media they are arranging for a meeting at SIAA on October 10 to effect a compromise between the two factions.
The TFPC head Thanu, Vikraman and Selvamani from TANTIS were among others present at the press briefing.
‘Pandavar ani’ faces flak from Sarath & co
When Deccan Chronicle contacted Vishal, who has set out on a road trip along with his team to down south to meet stage artistes, he said there was no question of compromise. His faction was going ahead with the elections.
He also said while their team respects the federations' intentions, all the same they wondered as why these associations should think that ‘Pandavar Ani' would split Nadigar Sangam through these polls. “We only wanted the elections to be conducted in a democratic manner”, he adds.
Meanwhile, at a hurriedly called press conference by the Sarath Kumar faction, Radhikaa Sarath Kumar, Simbu, Urvasi, Bhagyaraj with wife Poornima, and Mohanram addressed the gathering. Both Radhikaa and STR lashed out against Vishal.
Said Radhikaa, “I have not seen this kind of situation in our (actors' association) family in my long film career. Trouble started between Sarath and Vishal when my husband suggested and started the Celebrity Cricket League. It grew like a cancer cell. I met Vishal at a recent private function. He said he has a lot of respect for Sarath sir and me. I asked him what exactly he wants, but he could not give a proper reply”.
Simbu on his part said, “Industry bodies want to bring about an amicable solution for the issue. Take it from me, this will not happen. As the basic intention and agenda of the other team is something different. They want to break the harmony of Nadigar Sangam,” he said.
“Where were these actors who now allege when Sarath sir properly took the signatures of all at various meetings, including general body, for constructing a new building for the association? Why didn't they raise the issue then?” Simbu asks.
STR also said Vishal had divided SIAA which was like a family and that he could not allow the act any more. Unfortunately, Silambarasan was talking in an ill-mannered way whenever he addressed Vishal and demeaned him using derogatory words, he said.
