AUG 19 -After watching a special screening of John Abraham-starrer ‘Madras Cafe’ in Chennai on Sunday, volunteers of pro-Tamil outfits denounced the film as ‘anti-Tamil’ and vowed to not allow its screening.
Even as promos of the film started flooding the media by early this month, pro-Tamil outfits like the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) besides Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) alleged that the film was anti-Tamil.
While PMK chief Ramadoss wanted the state and central governments to ban the movie, others warned of agitations. Actor-turned-politician Seeman-led NTK alleged that the movie portrayed the LTTE and its leader V Prabhakaran in bad light.
Although John Abraham later denied labelling anyone or group as terrorist in the film, it failed to cut ice with the groups. Subsequently, the producers came forward to arrange a special screening for those who had apprehensions about it.
After watching the movie, Seeman said, “The aim of the movie is to portray Prabhakaran as a villain. We cannot accept the movie in any form. The heart of the film is anti-Tamil.” He has urged the film exhibitors not to screen the film.
Film director R K Selvamani said the film featured Malayalees as patriotic persons attempting to save a former Prime Minister. “Everyone shown as good is a Malayalee and almost all Tamils are characterised as villains,” he alleged.
Sources in the Tamil film industry said the movie’s pivot was the killing of Rajiv Gandhi and the events that culminated in his assassination.
INDIA TODAY
