Actors and producers from the Tamil industry lend their voices to counter the piracy issue of Udta Punjab, that was leaked before its release.
Though Bollywood actors maintain cordial relationships working in southern industries and vice versa — when it comes to controversies with their movies — each industry usually deals with it internally. But the strong outcry that B’town flick Udta Punjab has caused, has broken the silence of Kollywood stars, who have raised their voice against piracy now!
It is heartwarming to see the solidarity shown by producers and actors including Vishal, Suriya, Madhavan, Jiiva, Siddharth and many others, who came out in full support for the Shahid-Kareena film, which leaked a day or two before its release.
At a hurriedly-called press conference by the Tamil Film Producers Council recently to support Udta Punjab, several known faces including the council’s head Thanu, T.Siva, Kathiresan, Gnanavelraja, and Thenappan, Nadigar Sangam Secretary Vishal (who is also a producer), Film Chambers Ravi Kottarakara and Suresh attended the event.
Vishal, who always raises his voice against piracy in the Tamil industry, was fuming at the leak. Speaking to us, he said, “Piracy is a never-ending threat to Tamil cinema. We were shocked to hear that Udta Punjab got leaked online even before its release. The same plight might happen to any other Tamil film. The film bodies discussed about banning theaters from where pirated DVDs originate. I request actors also to join hands for the cause. Crores of rupees have been invested into making a film — and producers are into huge financial losses due to piracy. We also request the state and central governments to take action on pirates.”
Other actors took to their social media profiles and registered their views. Suriya wrote, “Fight against Piracy!!Spread awareness that it’s a crime!! Yet to release film # killpiracysavecinema #itsnowornever, (sic)” whereas actor Jiiva said, “#killpiracysavecinema is not just a hashtag, but hard work and sacrifices of many families to entertain you.#Itsnowornever @anuragkashyap72. (sic)”
“Cinema is a hard work of thousands of people; don’t steal it in the name of piracy,” tweeted Gnanavelraja. Actor Siddharth, who is also always vocal about his views, retweeted Gnanavel and said that it is was great to see the entire film fraternity coming together for this cause.
Madhavan retweeted the hashtag #killpiracysavecinema, and wrote, “However much appreciation V may receive but if that is thru pirated viewing-I don’t want it-Hurts deeply-Sorry guys. (sic)” Actor Prasanna also posted, “It’s tragic #UdtaPunjab leaked. Pls support the makers n respect the hard work of actors n watch it in theatres only. (sic)”
