While fans of Vijay, the heartthrob of teens and kids, are gearing up for the Friday release of his much-awaited film Thalaiva, some theatres in the state received bomb threats against screening it.
A letter on Tuesday from a fringe outfit held out the warning that bombs would explode at the theatres and at the residences of its management members.
Inox Leisure Ltd located in Chennai Citi Centre Mall received such a letter, reportedly sent by Tamilaga Odukkappatta Manavar Puratchi Padai (Tamil Nadu Oppressed Students Revolutionary Force).
Spewing venom on SRM group founder Pachamuthu aka ‘Pari’ Vendhar, the letter alleged that the Rs 70 crore he had invested in Thalaiva was through tax evasion and ‘exploitation’ of students. According to the letter, Vijay was paid Rs 20 crore as salary and wondered how the actor had surrendered before ‘Pari’ Vendhar.
There was no other way to prevent exploitation of the students, the letter said and blamed theatre managements for deciding to screen the movie. It said setting off explosion would act as a warning to ‘black money sharks’ in the future.
Abhirami, Albert, and Devi Paradise, are among the theatres in the city which received similar threats from the same organisation on Wednesday. Most of the theatres have stopped their advance booking for the shows.
The movie was being distributed by ‘Vendhar Movies’ in the State. Police have learnt about several threat calls received by other theatres which have scheduled the movie.