Jaya refuses police protection to SANDIYAR

Chennai, June 13, 2003: The controversy surrounding Kamal Hassan's new film SANDIYAR, alleged to have casteist overtones, deepened on Friday with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa ruling out police security for the crew during the shooting of the film.

Asked about Kamal Hassan's statement that he would meet her and seek police protection for the film crew, she said the State Government could not give protection if an artiste deliberately wanted to make a film on a controversial subject.

"If anything goes wrong during the shooting and the law and order situation is disturbed, I will be held responsible for it," she said. Stating that the primary duty of the police was to protect all sections of the people and maintain law and order, the Chief Minister said besides, the police force was already understaffed and could not provide protection for a private person for three or four months.

As the Superintendent of Police (SP) of each district was empowered to handle the law and order situation, the SP of Theni had the authority to grant or deny permission for the film shooting, she said. 

Ms Jayalalithaa denied that Dalit leader K Krishnasamy's protest against the film would amount to him assuming the role of a private vigilante and infringing on Kamal Hassan's artistic freedom.

Mr Krishnasamy of 'Puthiah Thamizhagam' had earlier alleged that the film, if completed and released, would spark off clashes in the communally-sensitive southern district of Theni where the film's story was set. He had also warned that his partymen would not permit the shooting of the film. 

The first shooting schedule of the film had to be cancelled earlier this week following the withdrawal of permission by the Theni district Superintendent of Police. In a statement, Kamala Hassan had explained that his film did not contain any casteist overtones.

Sandiyar Special Stories
SANDIYAAR stalled, shooting on hold
Sruthika selected for SANDIYAR
SANDIYAR first, others later: Abhirami

Get married in the right muhurath