Chennai ( June 11, 2003): As expected, SANDIYAAR couldn't start shooting the film in Uthamapalayam near Theni. The shooting of the much-hyped Kamal's latest film which was scheduled to commence on Tuesday, has been cancelled on fear of violence by elements opposed to the movie's content. Immediately, Kamal air dashed to Chennai to meet the officials and sought police protection for his film.

 

Around 170-member film crew including well-known actors like Nasser, Abirami, Gowthami, and Napoleon are still in Theni. Kamal is also planning to meet chief minister Ms.Jayalalitha. Kamal had sought earlier police protection fro his crew from local police but they refused to provide. Trouble started when Puthiya Thamizhagam chief K Krishnaswamy threatened to storm the shooting place, as he alleged that the film would lead to fresh communal clashes in the Southern districts of Tamilnadu.

He said that Kamal's earlier film THEVARMAGAN had instigated communal clashes between the dominant Thevars and Dalits in South Tamilnadu area. Krishnaswamy feels that SANDIYAAR would also highlight the culture of Thevar community like THEVARMAGAN did.

 

The fight between Thevars and dalits go a long way back in southern districts and is still a ticklish problem there. Meanwhile, Kamal promises that the film has no scenes which depict THEVARS's culture.