Two months after being temporarily suspended by the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC), actor Vishal filed an affidavit in the Madras High Court on Wednesday, expressing regret over criticising the functioning of the office bearers and requested that his suspension be revoked.
Vishal’s affidavit comes two days after TFPC informed the High Court that it was willing to revoke its suspension if the actor apologised for his statement.
His affidavit reads, “I state that I convey my regrets to all concerned, if any of my statements in the above referred interview may have hurt anyone, because that was not my intention, and I undertake to abide by the rules and regulations governing the 2nd Defendant Association, as always.”
Vishal said in the affidavit that he did not wish to hurt anyone. “I state that I had only expressed my personal views, may be in a slightly strong manner but without any ulterior motive or intention to hurt anyone or create any controversy and ill-will in the 2nd Defendant.”
On August 17, Vishal, who is also the General Secretary of the Nadigar Sangam, gave an interview to Ananda Vikatan magazine that was allegedly “against the interests” of the Council. In an interview with the magazine, when asked about the Producers’ Council and its members, Vishal had said that the Council had not taken measures against piracy or tackled the problem of satellite rights. He added that the Council needed "unselfish" members who would solve issues with an open mind.
The TFPC had suspended Vishal’s primary membership on November 14 for three months stating that his explanation on the issue was found to be unsatisfactory.
Following the TFPC’s decision, Vishal moved the Madras High Court last year seeking an interim injunction restraining the Council’s president Kalaipuli S Thanu from enforcing the suspension.
On Sunday, Vishal announced that actor Khushbu Sundar would contest for the post of President in the Producers Council elections. Elections to the TFPC is scheduled for February 5.
The team Vishal is putting together to take on the present office bearers is similar to what had happened at the Nadigar Sangam, when Nasser and co had taken on Sarath Kumar’s team.