The Hindu : Artists to put up united show

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 12, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Artists to put up united show

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Oct. 11. Sinking personal differences, film artists today tried to present a united front on the Cauvery issue.

Actors affiliated to the DMK announced their decision to participate in tomorrow's Neyveli show, while the superstar, Rajnikant, put off his fast programme here by a day, to Sunday, to enable fellow artists to join the protest against Karnataka's refusal to release water to Tamil Nadu.

The film industry heaved a sigh of relief and the controversy over attempts at "isolating the superstar" was laid to rest, for now.

The patch-up efforts got under way last night, with the Nadigar Sangam president, Vijaykant, appealing to Mr. Rajnikant to postpone his fast and assuring him that he would also participate in it.

Mr. Rajnikant reciprocated and called up his colleague to inform him of the postponement. But there is no change in his decision not to go to Neyveli.

With that problem out of the way, the DMK stars - Sarath Kumar, Napoleon, Chandrasekar and some others - this morning announced that they would participate both in the Neyveli show and in Mr. Rajnikant's fast programme.

At a joint press conference at the Nadigar Sangam office, Mr. Vijaykant, flanked by Mr. Sarath Kumar and Mr. Napoleon, took pride announcing the "united show" that would take place at Neyveli. Mr. Vijaykant said he had not <170>only appealed to Mr. Rajnikant to put off the fast but also met the DMK chief, M. Karunanidhi, and assured him that the protest would be "peaceful". Though a separate committee was organising the programme, he would lead the film artists. "Based on these assurances, Kalaignar told me he would ask his party stars to participate in the Neyveli programme".

Asked how Mr. Rajnikant agreed to put off his fast, Mr. Vijaykant said, "We spoke on telephone and he accepted my offer. I am so glad. We will also join him in the fast — as many of us as possible, because some might have other commitments". Will Mr. Rajnikant reconsider his decision to stay away from Neyveli? Mr. Vijaykant replied, "He has already said he will not come. Do not rake up the issue again".

Plea to media

Mr. Vijaykant also made a `special appeal' to the media. "Please see the objective, our cause. The Cauvery issue is very important, very sensitive. Understand our sentiments; look at our unity, not our differences".

Mr. Sarath Kumar and Mr. Napoleon explained what transpired at the meeting between Mr. Vijaykant and their party leader and declared: "We will go under the leadership of Mr. Vijaykant".

Kamal Haasan going to Neyveli

Meanwhile, the Kamal Haasan Narpani Iyakkam confirmed the actor's participation in the Neyveli rally and asked his fans not to go to the lignite town.

In the light of these developments, the Rajnikant Fans Association convener, K. Sathyanarayana, secured permission from the Chennai Police Commissioner, for Sunday's fast programme. He said the change was effected in the interests of "unity" in the film world.

The director, Bharatiraaja, on behalf of the agitation committee, appealed to all fans to gather at Neyveli and said they could line up the procession route and also attend a public meeting at the end of the rally.

Thus, it will be a special weekend for the Tamil film industry and the fans - Saturday at Neyveli and Sunday in Chennai. Both Sun TV and Jaya TV will telecast live the entire Neyveli programme from 2 to 6 p.m.

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