In a fresh twist to the cold war between the Tamil Nadu Film Producers’ Council and Nadigar Sangam Secretary General Vishal, who is also a member of the Council, the actor’s membership has been suspended for "disrupting the unity" of the Council.
On August 17, Vishal gave an interview to Ananda Vikatan magazine that was allegedly “against the interests” of the Council. The Council has also noted that he has acted in such ways prior to this interview. Following this, the Council sent Vishal a letter on September 2 asking for an explanation.
The explanation was discussed on November 12 at a meeting of the executive committee of the Council and was found to be unsatisfactory. Thereafter, Vishal's membership has been suspended.
In an interview with the magazine, when asked about 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.
Since then, Vishal has been stating that he would create and back a team of youngsters in the Producers’ Council which will take on the old guard in the upcoming elections.
Following such statements, the Council called for an immediate meeting. Producer Suresh Kamatchi had then said, “Vishal has to apologise for what he said. How can he say that if we have issues related to payments etc. we organise meetings with snacks on the table? Also, why would he say that every producer was unhappy with the Council’s office bearers? Of late, he has been giving interviews in a way that stirs problems.”
The Council claimed that he was trying to do this for attention. At the producers’ meeting, Kalaipuli Thanu said that no producer has earned profits working with Vishal and that he should not have said something like this. He also added that he should be educated on how to talk to people.