Bid to end film star-PMK feud

Chennai, June 27 (IANS): Tamil Nadu's film industry Sunday sought an end to a feud between popular film star Vijaykanth and PMK chief S. Ramadoss that had led to widespread violence.

Alarmed at the growing number of clashes between the supporters of Vijaykanth and Ramadoss, the Tamil Film Producers' Council (TFPC) and the

Tamil Film Distributors Council (TFDC) asked the PMK leader to put an end to the fued.

Vijaykanth had, about two weeks back, allegedly said: "A person who has never contested an election should not be allowed to be a minister at the centre."

It was construed as an obvious reference to Health Minister R. Anbumani, Ramadoss' son. Anbumani was elected to the Rajya Sabha last week.

The PMK chief reiterated by saying actors like Vijaykanth "should not poke their nose in politics".

PMK cadres told theatre owners not to screen movies featuring Vijaykanth and staged protests in front of cinema halls screening his films.

The protests led to retaliation by Vijaykanth's admirers. Many people were subsequently arrested for trying to burn Ramadoss' effigies.

There is speculation that Vijayakanth, who is also chairman of the South India Artistes' Association, would soon be joining politics.

In a joint statement here, the TFPC and the TFDC said "opinions expressed by the actor were his own".

"The threat to stop screening of the films in which he had acted would severely affect not only the producers, but also distributors and theatre

owners in the state," the two organisations said.

PMK activities also set up roadblocks in several districts, including Tindivanam and Virdachalam, as part of their protests against Vijaykanth.

Party cadres blamed the star's supporters for setting on fire a PMK office at Kurinjipadi in Cuddalore district June 25.