The Federation of Tamil Associations of North America (FeTNA), an umbrella body of more than 30 Tamil organisations across the United States, said on Monday that it would boycott films starring Asin because of her visit to Sri Lanka.
This decision comes a day after the South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIFAA) said on Sunday that a joint consultative committee would decide on the action to be taken against actors visiting Sri Lanka.
In a statement, FeTNA chief Palani Sundaram said, “The Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America will boycott films of Asin because of her visit to Sri Lanka despite a ban by the Tamil film industry.”
Meanwhile, the actress, who was in Mumbai on Monday, said she did not flout any diktat of the Nadigar Sangam as she stayed away from the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) award ceremony in the island nation.
“I spoke to SIFAA president Sarath Kumar and I am ready to abide by the joint committee’s direction,” she reportedly said. The committee comprises the Film Employees Federation of India, SIFAA, Tamil Film Producers Council, South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and directors association among others.
Asin’s Fate to be Decided Today
The Producers’ Council General Body meeting is scheduled to take place today. This is the first meeting after the elections that took place this year. This meeting is also very significant as the Council will decide on the course of action against Asin for visiting Sri Lanka for the Hindi film shooting Ready.
It has to be mentioned here that the Nadigar Sangam had earlier said that it would abide by any action proposed by the joint action committee in this regard.
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At the General Council meeting of the Nadigar Sangam held over the last weekend, except for actors Radharavi (Secretary of the Sangam) and Sathyaraj, the Sangam was unanimous in not willing to contemplate any action against actress Asin for her visit to Lanka to shoot for her upcoming Hindi film ‘Ready’ opposite Salman Khan and her subsequent visit to the rehabilitation camps of Tamils along with the wife of the Sri Lankan president.
Speaking at the event, Radharavi said that though Asin hails from Kerala, she should have thought about the feelings of Tamilians and decided against paying the visit to Lanka, albeit for the shooting of her film. “Though the members demanded action against Asin, our president Sarath Kumar requested us to review the decision. As such, we have left the matter for the time being. Till now, Asin hasn’t even thanked Sarath for his gesture.
“She should appear in person at the Sangam’s Office to express regret for having visited Lanka. Hereafter, if any actor or actress wants to go to Lanka, he/she should inform the Sangam first about his/her visit,” said Radharavi. Joining the issue with him, Sathyaraj said that “Asin had gone a step further and posed for photographs along with Lankan president Rajapakse’s wife. The photo made us shed tears of blood besides angering us greatly.
“Blood of last year’s killing of innocent Tamilians haven’t yet even dried and cine=artistes should desist from going there. I heard Karunas saying that he wanted to visit a Murugan Temple there; let him wait for some time and go there after a separate Eelam is established for Tamils. At that time, I’d also accompany him. Though I’m an atheist, I’m ready to visit the Temple for the sake of creation of Tamil Eelam,” concluded Sathyaraj.
He also added that none of the artistes is in a position wherein he or she can earn the money only by going to Sri Lanka. “As and when such a situation arises, we’d rather prefer death than surviving,” he said emotionally.
The South Indian Film Association should understand that a section of the Tamils in the North East Province are people with Malabar blood, but brought up in a Tamil environment and there are historical evidences. Even the Laws of Theswalamai in Sri Lanka (applicable to Tamils in the North East Province) gives importance to the Malabar customs and practices. Here is a case where actress Asin being a Keralite, had laid a strong bridge between the Tamils and the Keralites with her acts of generocity. When even the NGOs and Tamil MPs found difficult to go the Vanni area without the permission of the Presidential Task Force, what is wrong when Asin accompanies with the first lady of Sri Lanka if she wants to fulfill her mission of mercy. At the same time why has the South Indian Film Association queried about the Indian cricketer Murali Vijay in going to Sri Lanka to play cricket as well as other Indian businessmen going to Sri Lanka. When Asin had taken five doctors and performed more than 400 surgeries and established a humanitarian project for the benefit of the helpless Tamils including orphaned children, I am sure God will bless her. The feelings of the South Indian Film Association are understandable, but their actions are sheer stupidity. It would have been meaningful had the South Indian Film Association obtained the approval of the Indian Government for rendering humanitarian aids and then proceed to Sri Lanka. What is important is to develop mutual understanding among all people even with the enemies.
Sathyaraj should be thrown to jail for coercing individuals to not visit Lanka. If he does not want to go, he can stay and rest at home. Will he be willing to pay for the artists compensation what they would otherwise receive during that period ?? What is the difference if TR Balu vists Lanka and Asin visits Lanka…both are going for pleasure and seeing the Tamils. Sathyaraj and RadhaRavi want to simply create ruccus and show their attitude.
So many Indians (Tamils and non Tamils) visit Sri Lanka regularly for business. Who is the nadigar sangam fellow to stop them? To tell the truth Sarath Kumar has business branch in Colombo and Sathyaraj deals in sri lankan coconut oil products and has rep office in Kilinochhi.
Sathyaraj, RadhaRavi and Sarathkumar are good for nothing fellas. Not sure who gave them the authority to call the shots on behalf of all the Tamils. They make the entire section of people look stupid. So relax guys these guys are just zimbly talking trash..we will take care of them when they come to thubai or anywhere in gelf.
With due respect to A. Rajasingam & Anand Raman’s comments. Sri Lankan Tamils may have Malabar blood, but they call us Indians VADAKKATHIAN’S, KALLATHONI’S & even COOLIES. They love to watch our Indian movies, Shopping and visit temples. End of the day we are called by these names. Coming to these personals who take such intrest in the welfare of these Sri Lankan Tamils should go to the plantation sector and see how our Indians are suffering in the hands of the Govt. and these Sri Lankan Tamils. Sorry folks. there is a lot of hidden truth in that land which is not know to many.
Ramesh, Just because a privileged class of one community has abused another community, it does not mean they are bad forever. The hill country Tamils were brought to Sri Lanka by the British after 1840 for purpose of developing the plantation sector. But the Tamils in the North East Province were inhabitants from time immemorial like the origin of the Rameswaram temple. The Inhabitants of North East Province are from various parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala at one time known as Tamilaham. In fact, some places in the North Province have similar names that are in Kerala and especially the customs and practices are that of Keralites. It is the money power and the influence of the British that led to the discrimination between a privileged class of one community in the North East Province Tamils and the hill country Tamils. It is regretted that some unscrupulous Tamils had taken this advantage for their benefit. At this stage it should be borne in mind that there is something called the law of nature. The earth has the force of growing poisonous plants. At the same time the earth also has the force of growing plants that are beneficial to mankind. Can it be said that the earth is bad. Now look at M.G.R. who was born in Kandy and finally became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Being a Keralite and Indian citizen, M.G.R was very sympathetic towards the North East Province Tamils. Today the situation is different. Marriages between the Tamils in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka and even with Keralites had led the Tamils to the extent of global family. Likewise after the Chera period, the Kalabras invaded Tamilaham, later the Kalabras mixed with the Tamils though they were defeated. Kerala is a State where the great Adi Sankaracharya found the doctrine of non-dualism and restored Vedic Dharma to its pristine glory. Moreover, Kerala is considered as a gifted State to India, perhaps a State that was created as a result of the boon received by sage Parasurama. Asin hailing from such a State advocating non-violence, would have definitely wanted to proceed with her good will mission. Forgive and forget is the teaching of every religion and is divine. Forgiveness will tend to realize the offender and bring enormous benefits. Asin is not an atheist to give street talks, but a lady with action. What is wrong in her good will mission.
Sarathkumar might have a free bjowb from asin for not taking action.This bastards are hypocrites.Will bark unnecessasirly and lick willingly.