When the bull stopped cinema in Tamil Nadu

The ongoing demonstrations have nearly brought the city to a standstill, and film artistes are showing solidarity with the cause ,With the morning and matinee shows in theatres also cancelled,  CE  
Protests at the Marina BeachShrikrishna
Protests at the Marina BeachShrikrishna

CHENNAI: The ongoing protests have brought the Tamil film industry to a halt as the morning and matinee shows in theatres were cancelled following the call for a bandh as various Tamil outfits seek restoration of jallikattu and to ban PETA on Friday. Film halls were running empty until six in the evening.  

Ruben of GK Cinemas told City Express, “The protests grew only bigger. Many have been sleeping and eating on the beach and their numbers have grown steadily. For the past three days, the crowd has been decreasing in theatres. Youngsters have been bunking schools and colleges. Their priority is Jallikattu, not entertainment.”

He said there has been a 45-50% dip in business of ticket sales. “We had a few cancelling their tickets. Physical ticket sales in particular have taken a hit. I am hoping that things will stabilise in a day or two. Since this isn’t going to be permanent, I think we can ‘adjust’ and put up with this.”

Members of Nadigar Sangam also came out in support of the protest, observing a day-long fast. Ponvannan, VP, had said in a statement that they have invited all other film associations to lend support to the issue as a united front. As a result, Film Employees Federation of South India and the Tamil Nadu Directors’ Union had announced that activities like editing, dubbing, shooting and audio launches will be cancelled. 

Nadigar Sangam has requested the press not to cover their protest as they didn’t want public attention to be deviated from youngsters and students who have been protesting without “food, sleep and water”. Film screenings and promotions have been stalled. Movies including the Aadhi-starrer Maragadha Naanayam and Vikram Prabhu’s Sathriyan have been postponed. 

Maragadha Naanayam, director RK Saravan adds, “We decided to postpone the audio launch on Day 1 when we heard people were protesting. As an industry, we are united. Everyone wants jallikattu. Most of the anger is focused on the centre. Switch on the TV and we see uninterrupted live coverage. A large number of women, mainly college students — have joined the crowd. This is a fine example to say cinema is capable of bringing people together for a cause.”

Though Simbu and director Aadhik Ravichandran are working on their upcoming film Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (AAA), they have taken time out to focus on this issue. Adhik shares, “Never before have there been so many young people fighting together for a common need. I feel proud of what’s happening right now! The State enjoys the advantage of youth power, which takes the country forward. We have always been tempted to believe that the government gives the solution. This time, realising it’s not possible, we have done something bold and remarkable. Tamilians are sentimental about it.”

He adds jallikattu is more than a sport. “We need to think about the larger perspective. It’s about the ‘collective Tamil pride’ and is important to all of us. It establishes a sense of identity of hard-working population. Many have spent lakhs to bear the expenses of food and water for demonstrators.” Adhik insists that we need to engage and support the traditional livestock keepers. “We’ll lose these breeds otherwise. Eventually, the non-Indian based dairies and slaughter houses will dominate the country,” he points out. 

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