CHENNAI: The audio of Pulipaarvai, which was panned by the Tamil diaspora for portraying slain LTTE leader Prabhakaran’s son Balachandran as a heroic warrior, was released amid flutter here on Saturday, as students’ forums raised questions about the motive behind making such a movie.
The audio launch was attended by dignitaries, including Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Pon Radhakrishnan, in a multiplex off Anna Salai. Naam Tamilar coordinator and cine director Seeman and Indiya Jananayaka Katchi founder Paari Vendhar were among the special invitees. The movie was made by Vendhar Movies and directed by Pravin Gandhi.
Students from three outfits — Tamil Youth & Students Federation (TYSF), Progressive Students Front and Students Federation of Free Eelam — attended the event while some of them raised questions about the movie.
While the organisers attempted to pacify them, some students continued to raise their voice. The supporters of the movie then got agitated and the cops present in the hall for security pulled 16 students out and held them under preventive arrest in a community hall in Zaam Bazaar.
Speaking to Express, Prabhakaran, chief co-ordinator, TYSF, claimed that they were assaulted by the goons from IJK, Naam Tamilar, and BJP. “We just raised questions about a particular scene from the trailer. Instead of replying, they threw us out of the hall and assaulted us,” he alleged.
Pravin Gandhi said the students were not prepared to wait until the launch was over to take questions. “We tried to explain that we would give answers in the end. But they kept causing disturbance. Therefore, we requested the cops to evict them,” he said.
Triplicane ACP M Peer Mohammed said the organisers got agitated after the students raised questions. “We intervened and pulled the students out of the hall before they disrupted the event. There was a mild scuffle but no assault.”
“Since no complaint was received from both sides, the students will be released later,” he said.