PROXY WAR BETWEEN MARANS OWNED SUN TV AND TAMILNADU CHIEF MINISTER OWNED KALAINGAR TV

The proxy war between Marans-owned Sun TV and Tamil Nadu chief minister owned Kalaignar TV has spread to Kollywood.

As Sun TV backed Radhika was planning to contest for the presidentship of Tamil Film Producers Council in the elections to be held on July 6, a sudden change of rules made her ineligible for the nominations. The likely contest for the presidentship may die down eventually with political intervention.

Rama Narayanan, president, Tamil Film Producers Council, who has the backing of Kalaignar TV and political outfits such as DMK, VCK and PMK, brought two major changes to the rules of the council a month ago.

Amendment to Rule 3 says, “Members of management committees of other film-related or TV-related associations and unions are not eligible to contest for the post of members of the management committee of the Tamil Film Producers Council.”

The amendment 3 (a) says, “People with Tamil as mother tongue alone can contest for the six positions, including the presidentship in the management committee.”

Producer Keyaar, former president, South Indian Film Chamber and who leads a new front of film producers, claims that the change of rule was sudden and undemocratic. Keyaar supports the Radhika faction of film producers in the elections.

Rama Narayanan said, “The changes were done a month ago. Being a society run by rules, our executive council with 21 members can change the rules according to section 17.”

Keyaar said the opposition were scared of losing citing the haste in which the ruling was made. Radhika, veteran director S A Chandrasekhar and producers Panchu Arunachalam and A M Ratnam form a faction. Not mincing his words, Keyaar said the opposition camp pressed the panic but ton, bringing shame to the industry in the cowardice act.

“Myself and Ratnam are Telugu but the main aim was to scuttle Radhika’s entry. She is a Tamilian and the only way to stop her was to bring the clause that she was not eligible, heading the television industry. That yardstick should have been applicable last year when Rama Narayanan headed the Tamil Iyal Isai Nataka Manram while successfully contesting the council elections,” Keyaar added.