Asin castigates South Indian film industrialists

Popular Indian film star Asin has taken to task South Indian film industrialists for criticizing her visits to Sri Lanka recently.

Actress Asin, in a recent interview with an Indian newspaper said that instead of making noises and releasing reports, people in Tamil Nadu who blame her should visit the areas in Sri Lanka which were affected by the three-decade conflict and help the innocent civilians who need help to rebuild their lives.

Asin has travelled to Sri Lanka frequently for the shooting of the film ‘Ready’ in which she plays a lead role.

South Indian film industrialists who boycotted the Indian International Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in Colombo have been critical of Indian cinema artistes who visit Sri Lanka.

An Association of film industrialists came down hard on Asin for her recent visits to Sri Lanka. Asin, who visited Jaffna and several other areas in the North along with First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa and Gampaha District Parliamentarian Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle said that instead of making useless comments, South Indian film industrialists should go to Jaffna and see for themselves the ground realities.

“I went to Sri Lanka to shoot my film ‘Ready’. I signed the agreement to act in this film a long time ago. Hence, I have to keep my word. South Indian film industrialists are up in arms against my presence in the island, which I believe is meaningless. Besides filming, I even went to Northern Sri Lanka which had been devastated by three decades of conflict.

“I met several patients who are in need of better medical care at the Jaffna General Hospital.

I have launched a trust to treat around 300 patients. I also made arrangements to bring down prominent eye surgeons from India to treat patients.”AP