In a shocking turn of events, there was a big demonstration in front of the Tamil Film Producers Council on Wednesday with rival producers of actor, producer and TFPC head Vishal demanding his resignation. They accused Vishal of mismanagement of funds and running the council for his own gains. They also locked the TFPC building and handed over the keys to the nearby police station. The protestors also locked the office of TFPC in Anna Salai later in the evening.
The disgruntled producers made charges against the TFPC head and his subordinates on many issues. They said they would approach the chief minister if Vishal does not step down immediately. Recently, Vishal’s friends RK Suresh and Udhaya who were also EC members of the council resigned because they were miffed with the way their films were treated.
Producer Alagappan lashed out at Vishal saying, “The council is a traditional association which has its own values. I was also part of its administration before. Even if we have to spend two rupees, we have to take a consensus of the management. Harmony prevailed in those days. During our regime, we had a deposit of Rs 7.80 crore collected by way of issuing rights to songs and scenes to TV channels. Now, we hear that '7 crores is not there.”
The protestors accused Vishal of not keeping his promises and misusing his powers for his own self-interest. They also questioned his inaction against film piracy. They also said that he announces film strikes without consulting others. And according to them the ‘Release Regulation Committee’ inception was a failure, which has put small budget films in a quandary.
“Despite being its head and the TFPC being plagued with many problems, Vishal has not turned up to the council for the last six months. How will he solve other’s problems? And they have not convened the General Body Meeting till now, (the one they did earlier was inappropriately conducted). We want them to submit the audited statement of accounts at once,” he added. Producers like JK Riteesh, S.Ve Shekar and many others echoed the same views.
Reacting to the allegations, Kathiresan, secretary, TFPC said, “We are ready to provide the statement of accounts. But they are demanding it at once, which is not possible. As far as Ilayaraja sir’s fundraising show is concerned it is done only for the welfare of the council’s members.”
As regard to locking of the council, he said they would take appropriate legal action. Vishal was not available for comment despite a few attempts to reach him.
