Rift in the Chennai film industry over Rameshwaram rally

A serious rift has developed in Chennai film industry over the proposed Rameshwaran rally to support DMK party on Sri Lanka.

But moderate stars involved in the Indian film industry questioned when such a rally should be organised to support a terrorist group which killed former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi.

Many Tamil film actors and actresses are shying away from the rally, organised by DMK film director Bharathiraja, taking the glamour off. Reports from 'Kollywood' said the pro-DMK film director Bharathi Raja has been snubbed by many film artists when they have excused themselves from a Rameshwaram rally he was keen in organising to save terrorist leader Velupillai Prabhakaran from being handed over to India to be tried for the Gandhi assassination.

The DMK Director of film has been organizing the rally due to his close relationship with the terrorist leader and many artists did not want to have any hand in that effort,? an opponent of the controversial Bharathi Raja said. He was once accused of becoming the Chennai Film Directors Association by unfair means.

India once wanted Velupillai Prabhakaran to be handed over to India to be tried for the murder of Rajiv Gandhi and if his political life is prolonged as Bharathiraja plans by his rally many actors believe Prabhakaran cannot be tried for the murder.

Instead of the Rameshwaram rally, many film artists have said they would turn up at a day long fast organized by actor turned politician Sarath Kumar on November 1 to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils. The South Indian Actors Association has been very reluctant to have any hand in a political movement that would further terrorism of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).