He also lashed out at the filmmakers, asking them the source of getting several crores of rupees for making films.
Coimbatore: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami strongly defended the various freebies granted from the time of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. He said the lot of the poor and middle class has improved vastly because of various inputs freely provided to empower them. He also lashed out at the filmmakers, asking them the source of getting several crores of rupees for making films.
"They spend around Rs. 300 to Rs. 500 crore for making a film and some say it will require about Rs. 900 crore to make a film. Where do they get the money? What have those actors who earned Rs. 50 crore for acting in a film done for the people?"
Mr Palaniswami asked while lashing out at actor Vijay whose film Sarkar has stirred a hornets' nest by showing scenes critical of State government's freebies. The filmmakers later yielded to pressure by removing all the scenes that were critical of the State government.
Turning to reporters the CM sprang a surprise by asking, "How much do you earn? Is anyone asking them (actors)? Tickets are sold in black. They say they are making the films for their fans but are literally fleecing their fans."
The State Information Minister had already issued a stern warning to the theatre owners not to sell tickets at exorbitant price. He urged the media not to sensationalise such news of actors but explain about the government's freebies to the people.
Replying to a question, Mr. Palaniswami said actor Kamal Haasan has been given 'retirement' from the film industry as he turned 64 and people are not bothered about him.
"Kamal has taken to politics to act and his acting in politics will not work because people are likely to reject him," he said.
Stoutly defending the attacks on the Sarkar banners and agitations outside the theatres saying any "self-respecting" person would react in anger when the welfare schemes implemented by their revered leader with social consciousness were ridiculed in such fashion.
He contended that some actors indulged in a misinformation campaign due to vested interest and pointed out that the government freebies have benefited over 1.84 crore persons.
