Is Kaththi an example of the Tamil industry being arm-twisted?

 Is Kaththi an example of the Tamil industry being arm-twisted?
Is Kaththi an example of the Tamil industry being arm-twisted?
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Sameera Ahmed | The News Minute| October 21, 2014| 04.06 pm ISTAfter a couple of U-turns over the last couple of days questioning the possibility of its release, Vijay-starrer Kaththi is all set to release in theatres across Tamil Nadu.The film has been courting controversy over the last few months because of alleged connections its producer, Lyca Productions had with Sri Lankan President Mahinde Rajapaksa. Earlier in August , a number of organizations had come together opposing the movie connected to a leader (Rajapaksa) against whom Tamil Nadu had passed a resolution citing human rights violations after a civil war in the island-country. A few days before the movie’s planned release, film makers of the movie faced renewed trouble from Tamil fringe groups demanding a stall in the release.On Monday, protesters held a press conference conveying their opposition to the movie’s release in the state. However, on Tuesday, according to film makers, an amicable solution was reached after decision to drop the ‘Lyca’ logo was accepted. Tamil actor, Khushboo questioned the necessity for the protest to occur just a day before the release of the movie. “You know the content. You know the producer. Why do they have to protest a day before a movie’s release,” she asked. Situations like these have become relatively common in the Tamil film industry. Vijay himself has been in similar state of affairs when movies of his like Thalaivaa faced trouble. “It will mean a loss in crores for the filmmaker and the producer. We cannot afford to lose. It’s not social service we are doing here. We are doing the entertainment business here.”Does the film industry have a way out? “The industry is scared to take action. Nobody wants to rub political leaders the wrong way,” said a film industry insider.Producers of the movie, Ayngaran International, have agreed to all issues surrounding the movie and agreed to remove mention of LycaProductions which is alleged to have business links with the Sri Lankan President. If the alleged Sri Lankan connection is indeed true, removal of the logo will not eliminate the relationship which will continue to exist. So, why this ‘symbolic’ and ‘farcical’ protest?“This has nothing to do with them. Why can’t they show their solidarity for a cause in some other way,” said Khushboo calling it a ‘lame reason’.“Removal of the logo will remain purely technical. It will be removed here in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. Everywhere else it will be seen,” said the industry insider. Could escalated protests just before movie releases and hushed compromises be the start of a new trend and headache for the Tamil industry?Protests like these which rise a few days before a movie’s release puts undue pressure on the film makers and producers. “Everybody wants to keep mum on the issue, until it affects them directly, said Khushboo. On Monday, only a few hours after unofficial news for openings for bookings, miscreants hurled petrol bombs at two theatres in Chennai resorting to ‘vandalism and goondaism”. However, even after tickets sold out within minutes on Tuesday, Tamil fringe groups still plan to continue to protest against the movie’s release, outside theatres.

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