Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Kamal Hassan drops `Sandiyar' title

By Our Special Correspondent

Photo: Vino John

The actor, Kamal Hassan, calling on the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, in connection with his latest film project, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Friday.

Chennai June 20. The controversy over Kamal Hassan's latest movie ended in an anti-climax today with the actor buying peace with protesting Dalit outfits, by dropping the controversial title Sandiyar. With a new title but the same script, the shooting, which was stalled a fortnight ago in scenic Theni, as the police refused security for the crew, would resume on Tamil Nadu soil soon.

Mr. Kamal Hassan's dramatic announcement of changing the title came after a 25-minute discussion with the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, at the Secretariat here. "The problems are over. The shooting will begin in Tamil Nadu," the visibly relieved film star told the media, emerging from the Chief Minister's office. Mr. Kamal Hassan, who sports the now-famous "Sandiyar" handlebar sideburns, insisted that he had no intention of hurting anyone's feelings. If the title was the problem, he would change it.

What would be the new title? A smiling Kamal Hassan quipped: "I have not yet decided. But it could be given any title. Even if it is named "Sakalakalavallavan-II (a sequel to his earlier blockbuster), it would have a good run. For, the story is good". The actor, who earlier sought police protection following protests by the Puthiya Tamizhagam, claimed that there was no need for security now as the controversy had ended. Asked whether the Chief Minister had advised him to scrap the title, he said it was his own decision, and she said it was a "good idea."

Would the shooting resume in the same Theni location? All that he would say now was: "It will be shot in Tamil Nadu." On attempts by politicians to politicise the film, he merely said, "What I feel I need not say here. It is enough if I convey it through the films."

The typical filmy happy end to the controversy came as a surprise as only last week did Ms. Jayalalithaa rule out "protracted" police protection for a private film unit, which "deliberately chooses a controversial subject". But the PT, which opposed the film as it allegedly sought to glorify the upper caste Thevars with the title Sandiyar and the culture of violence, yesterday offered to give up the stir if the title was changed.

Welcoming Mr. Kamal Hassan's decision, the PT leader, K. Krishnasamy, said the film should not exhibit any casteist symbol or identity and the culture of brandishing swords.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Kamal Hassan drops `Sandiyar' title
• Police heave a sigh of relief
• 'Video piracy throwing cinemas out of business'
• Counselling for medical courses begins on June 26
• Govt. must take the cost-cutting initiative
• No alternative to skipping kuruvai
• A practical change in Thanjavur cropping pattern
• Lawyer expelled from AIADMK
• Varuna puja at Big Temple
• DMK parades Sivaganga leaders
• Two engg. colleges facing disaffiliation
• Verdict on discharge pleas on July 4
• Summons to Ponmudi
• Sale of MCC Finance assets declared null and void
• Tigress rescued

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu