Violence on Tamils in K'taka: Kollywood on protest fast

Chennai, Apr 4: The entire Tamil Film industry, popularly referred to as Kollywood, today began a day's fast codemning the attack on theatres in Karnataka screening Tamil films following an uproar over the implementation of Hogenakkal Drinking Water Project in Tamil Nadu. The stir began at 0800 hrs in the morning when the Tamil cinema fraternity gathered at Chepauk here to mark their protest against the attack.

Actors, representatives of the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC), the Film Employees Federation of South India and a host of such associations were participating in the protest. All the associations made it clear that work pertaining to the industry, including shooting on locations, would be suspended today.

Those shooting in other places and abroad must cancel their schedule to show their solidarity with the protest, they said. Theatres in the city have cancelled noon and matinee shows today to support the film industry's protest. Meanwhile, the Advocates of Madras High Court stayed away from courts and tribunals today in support of its demand that Centre should take immediate steps to give proper protection to Tamils in Karnataka.

The Madras High Court Advocates Association, in its general body meeting last evening, criticised the politicisation of Hogenakkal project by political parties in Karnataka. It also condemned the attack on innocent Tamils and damage to property by some Kannada organisations.

UNI