Date:12/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/12/stories/2006051217890200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Happy to churn out Chief Ministers

S.R. Ashok Kumar

Not many stars in the Tamil film industry were prepared to express their views on the results of the State Assembly elections. They politely turned down telephone calls.

Several individuals in the industry had supported fronts led by either the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam during the election campaigns.

Only one person in the industry was prepared to go on record with his views.

The results of the just concluded Assembly elections show that it is the film industry which is continuously producing Chief Ministers, says Abirami Ramanathan, a film exhibitor. "We [film exhibitors] are happy that right from 1967 all the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu have come from the film industry. No other State can boast of this trend, not even Andhra Pradesh. All the Chief Ministers have helped the film industry, particularly the exhibitors.

"We are sure that once again our to be elected Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, will help us to meet international standards," he said.

S.R. Ashok Kumar