Thankar Bhachan walks out on Kushboo in EVR film

Thankar Bachan, who is the cinematographer of the film on the life and works of social reformer and rationalist leader EVR Periyar (1879-1973) has reportedly stepped aside refusing to shoot the portions featuring Kushboo as EVR's second wife, Maniyammai, in the film.

Bachan had fallen out with Kushboo after an incident which led to Bhachan making a public apology because of the actress.

Bhachan's refusal to shoot Kushboo's portions of the film, directed by Rajasekharan, IAS, former Chennai head of the Censor Board, followed opposition from the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) of Dr. Ramadoss, an ally of the ruling DMK, against Kushboo being signed to play the role of genial Maniyamma in the biographical film on the late 95-year old social reformer who launched the Dravidian movement in the State.

In the State legislature PMK member T. Velmurugan, on Aug. 28, raised the issue and said Kushboo had tarnished Tamil culture and denigrated Tamil women by openly expressing her views on pre-marital sex and chastity. The PMK had demanded that Kushboo be dropped from the project.

Sathyaraj plays the title role in the film. Malayalam heroine Jyotirmayi donned the role of EVR's first wife, Nagammai.

The first half of the film has been completed featuring Jyotirmayi as Nagammai. The crew has just returned from Russia after a 10-day schedule. The portions featuring Khushboo playing Maniyammai is to be shot from October 23 at Kaaikudi.

As Thankar Bachan has refused to shoot Kushboo's portions, another popular cinematographer B. Kannan (who started his career with Bharathi Rajaa) will shoot Kushboo's portions. Bhachan will resume the work after the shooting of Kushboo's scenes are over, it is said.

The director, Rajasekharan, told media persons that internal matters need not be discussed with the media.

As for Kushboo, she is unfazed. "I do not know anything about it. Even Bachan has walked out, it is his choice. After all he has every right to do so. As for me, my work is with the director only," she told reporters.