It has been a disappointing and dull year for tamil cinema so far. With producers, directors and technicians torn apart by the long standing strikes, the tamil film industry stands still, stunned by how the situation took such a serious turn. Most of this edition of tamil movie news will be dedicated to describing the current situation in Kodambaakkam and how the entire tamil cine industry appears to be shattered by the vai shandai and sarcastic congratulation bouquets...A few important terms, just to make reading easier:
FEFSI: Film Employees Federation of South India, which appears to be the meeting spot for 26 different unions representing group dancers, cinematographers, stunt men and even tea boys.
TNCEF: Easier to remember as the group who call themselves Thamizh Padaippaaligal..
Nadigar Sangam led by Actor Radha Ravi
Cinema Artists' Union led by Actor Vijaykumar
The verbal and physical fights and the abusive language is just the beginning to describe this nasty strike which has brought 22,000 workers and 40 films worth over Rs. 125 Crores to a complete standstill. This entire strike is not about huge groups of workers starving or about producers losing money over films or anything else. It is about each and every individual's EGO. The focus is on how one can overpower the other, not on how to work together to make tamil cinema a happier and healthier field. The huge amount of love and respect that we have all had for the tamil cine field may never be same again!..People do not dispute that this strike had been expected for quite a while!.. Members of FEFSI continued to have ill feelings about the happennings in Kodambaakkam, but kept mum so that the problem would not blow out of proportion. All the grudge, anger and disappointment took vishwa roobam on July 5th, 1997 during Balu Mahendra's, now well-touted production Raman Abdullah. A deal signed 30 years ago states that Tamil cinema producers and directors should hire only FEFSI workers to work in their films. This being the case, Mahendra hired some non-FEFSI workers to perform some duties on his film. Initially, many members of FEFSI along with their leader Vijayan marched to the Raman Abdullah set to point out his mistake, asking him to correct it. In the huge jagadaa which followed, people claimed that Vijayan yelled out Packup, laying the first steps to what has now become the 'no solution' problem. Though Vijayan and his FEFSI members had been taunted by Mahendra repeatedly playing some lyrics from a song in R.A., Naan enna sonnaalum ketka maateenga.. pongada ponga. This Vijayan used as his excuse for the ragalai created at the shooting!..Soon afterwards, the Producers' council held a symbolic one day strike in support of Balu Mahendra. This led to a bigger uproar, as Vijayan declared an all-out strike for FEFSI, since the Producers' council had not conformed to rules in the deal signed last year, under Chief Minister Karunanidhi's thalamai. That deal states that any union in tamil cinema should provide adequate notice to the government and to other unions before calling an official strike (even if it is a symbolic one day strike, as in the case with the Producers' Council) Inge dhaan ulaga magaa poar arambiththadhu!..Things really started getting violent, as some producers, directors and actors became extremely tired and impatient with the whole FEFSI vs. rest of Kodambakkam jab-a-thon. As talks continued between the various groups, especially between FEFSI, Chief Minister Karunanidhi, Producers' Council, and the various tamil cinema groups, the conversations became heated and went out of control. In the center of the violence and chaos, directors K.Balachandar and Bharathiraja presumed they were doing a good deed and created the Thamizh Padaippaalligal Sangam, and the Thamizh Pada Thozhillaargal Sangam. Bharathiraja and Balachandar began a virulent campaign to recruit FEFSI members and technicians, along side actors, actresses and directors to join their newly formed Padaippaalligal Sangam. Soon afterward, artists and technicians started taking sides, leading to heated and sometimes violent debates over which 'union/sangam' was better..At some point, many directors and producers did try to resume shooting, but since cameras and other equipment were always being rented from FEFSI headquarters.. more prachchanais. Films like Periya Idaththu Maapillai and Swarnamukhi surprisingly continued to shoot, but only for a few days, as FEFSI outright refused to loan any equipment to all whom they considered 'traitors.' One day before shooting, FEFSI Vijayan contacted actor Jayaram, asking him not to go to Pe.Id.Maa. shooting, as he claimed he had so many starving workers waiting for a solution to the problem. Jayaram retorted: "Naan oruvan nadikaavittaal ungal prachchani theerum yendraal, naan nadikka maatten! Adhay samayam, ennai nambi padamedukkum iyakkunar, thaayaarippaallar-aiyum paarkkanume, Mr. Vijayan."
FEFSI increased its pressure from all ends, which immediately paralyzed the little progress people seemed to have made. Certain interesting developments led the two big stars in Kodambakkam to eventually participate in the strike happennings. Many directors, rombave thimirr-aaga, issued statements like "Kamal-um Rajini-yum enna komba? Nalla director-gal vandhu ivargalai uruvaakkaa vittaal yengayppa indha rendu peyirum?" Soon after these words reached Rajini, he spent close to 30 minutes on a long distance call to Kamal. A close source to Rajini divulges that Rajini, Kamal Thaangal Yaar yendru padaippaaligal-ukku kaatti viduvadhaaga mudivaanadhu. The results of this 30 minute talk will be discussed soon.
But before this phone call, Rajini had called Kamal 15 days before. He told Kamal that he did not want to be directly involved in the strike, as he feared it might take a very unexpected DIRTY turn if he did. As he saw the strike problem getting worse, he wanted to desperately find a solution to the problem, so that shooting could begin on August 1st, 1997. Accordingly, on behalf of Rajini and Kamal, three cottages were rented in Film City to have the negotiations. After almost 15 hours of continuous talks, both Kamal and Rajini had convinced FEFSI Vijayan to somewhat submit to a new plan: To forget all the incidents of this strike. Create a Thamizh thirai ulaga mempaattu kuzhu which joins FEFSI and Thamizh Padaipaalligal under one umbrella. Bharathiraja could be the leader of the Kuzhu if he feels so strongly. The Kuzhu will conduct 'merpaarvai' on both FEFSI and Thamizh Padaippaaligal and will serve in both group's interests. This, both Kamal and Rajini believed, will decrease the EGO and the 'naan nee' potti manapaanmai that is currently rampant in the industry.After blowing off packets and packets of cigarettes, Rajini became tired and disgusted, to find that directors refused to go along with the plan, even after FEFSI Vijayan agreed to it. Very unhappy with the situation, Rajini felt rather disgruntled. After the directors's comments, "Rajini Kamal yenna komba?".. and the 30 minute phone call, Rajini and Kamal had decided to follow the same "EGO route" as the directors to beat them in the strike. (Poruththadhu podhum pongi yezhu...) It was indeed at the juncture, Kamal announced in a press conference on July 31st that he wished to resume shooting Chaachi 420 (remake of Avvai Shanmughi) with the help of FEFSI. He expressed his kobam and varuththam at the 'superiority complex' demonstrated by the thamizh padaipaalligal director group, as well as the total lack of respect for artists like Rajini and him.
But before this phone call, Rajini had called Kamal 15 days before. He told Kamal that he did not want to be directly involved in the strike, as he feared it might take a very unexpected DIRTY turn if he did. As he saw the strike problem getting worse, he wanted to desperately find a solution to the problem, so that shooting could begin on August 1st, 1997. Accordingly, on behalf of Rajini and Kamal, three cottages were rented in Film City to have the negotiations. After almost 15 hours of continuous talks, both Kamal and Rajini had convinced FEFSI Vijayan to somewhat submit to a new plan: To forget all the incidents of this strike. Create a Thamizh thirai ulaga mempaattu kuzhu which joins FEFSI and Thamizh Padaipaalligal under one umbrella. Bharathiraja could be the leader of the Kuzhu if he feels so strongly. The Kuzhu will conduct 'merpaarvai' on both FEFSI and Thamizh Padaippaaligal and will serve in both group's interests. This, both Kamal and Rajini believed, will decrease the EGO and the 'naan nee' potti manapaanmai that is currently rampant in the industry.After blowing off packets and packets of cigarettes, Rajini became tired and disgusted, to find that directors refused to go along with the plan, even after FEFSI Vijayan agreed to it. Very unhappy with the situation, Rajini felt rather disgruntled. After the directors's comments, "Rajini Kamal yenna komba?".. and the 30 minute phone call, Rajini and Kamal had decided to follow the same "EGO route" as the directors to beat them in the strike. (Poruththadhu podhum pongi yezhu...) It was indeed at the juncture, Kamal announced in a press conference on July 31st that he wished to resume shooting Chaachi 420 (remake of Avvai Shanmughi) with the help of FEFSI. He expressed his kobam and varuththam at the 'superiority complex' demonstrated by the thamizh padaipaalligal director group, as well as the total lack of respect for artists like Rajini and him.
This created the path for the worst split ever seen in Tamil Cinema history. In support of Kamal's decision to join and aid FEFSI, actors Vijaykumar, Karthik, Sathyaraj, Prabhu, Chandrasekar and Napolean have also joined FEFSI in aiding Vijayan and some 22,000 workers.Actors Bhagyaraj, Visu, S.V.Sekhar, Radha Ravi, Arjun, Ramki, Karan, Charuhasan, Actresses Roja, Rambha, Meena, Nagma, Kushboo, Revathi, Sangavi, Oorvasi, Manorama and many others extended their support to director Bharathiraja and the Thamizh Padaippaalligal.Comedian Manivannan, who was once a director, now a full fledged actor, has kept mum throughout the strike. People blame his innate communist feelings for his decision. Napolean made good friends with many of the stunt men in FEFSI. They seemed to have aided him during his time of dire necessity and he felt obliged enough to join them. His Guru Bharathiraja netri kann-ai thirandhu vittar!.. Kuttram Kuttrame!.. Similar scenario for Karthik as he had commented: "Amaa sir.. ennai oru director arimuga paduththinaar. Oppukkaren. Aana, naan irubadhu director-galai arimuga paduththi-irukkiren."
Sathyaraj became the neja 'villain' in many people's eyes. He was caught warning some colleagues, "Veen prachchanai yedhukku.. Moonji-la acid adichcha yenna pannuveenga.. pullai kutti-ya mirattinaa naamma yenna seiya mudiyum?" But some actresses are not taking it easy. Actresses Revathi, Oorvasi and Ranjeetha are right in the midst of the problem by conducting negotiations between various unions in the tamil cinema industry. All the three truly believe that a good ending is in sight!
Yet, Kamal experienced the worst case scenario amongst all the stars. The day after he began his Hindi film shooting, flower wreaths from various directors started arriving at his home. Each one had the similar looking note with the exact words: Sagodhara paasaththai kaal-il pottu midhiththa kamal-ukku engal nanri. Within a few minutes, a police truck also arrived, with police officers telling him, he needed their protection. Kamal was angry, unhappy and confused at this point. Another person who understood, sympathized and offered support to Kamal and FEFSI was Producer Kunjumon (more on his story later!)
THE VERY LATEST
***Since the virulent strikes subsided just a little, only a handful of films were released: Raman Abdullah, Nerukku Nerr, Kalyaana Vaibhogam, Pagaivan, Kaadhali, Periya Idaththu Maappillai, and Kaadhal Palli. Many of these films range from mediocre to pathetic. Even worse, most of the films above show signs of the strike's immediate negative effects on the picturization and continuity. The scarier prospect is knowing that there might not be a new tamil movie releasing for Deepavali 1997. Maybe K.T.K. is thinking otherwise :-)
***After all the begging and pleading with Art Director Thotta Tharani to leave FEFSI, going to waste, Director Shankar has signed a newcomer, Balu, to be the new art director for his film Jeans.
***Initially, K.S.Ravikumar was asked for directing Kamal's latest (interim production before Marudhanaayagam), Kaadhala Kaadhala. He was told that the strike would solve itself eventually and that he should proceed with directing. But KSR stood his ground and refused to direct unless and until an absolute solution was provided for the problem. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao took the director's helm instead!
Meena was offered a role in KK, but she refused to act until the strike came to an end. It was because Rajini had requested them that both Rambha and Soundarya agreed to act in the film along with Prabhudeva. Moreover, Rajini has gone one step further and requested two big productions companies in Chennai to begin shooting and extend support to FEFSI workers. Furthermore, in a rasasiya koottam in his home, Kamal has also indicated that he would begin Marudhanaayagam with the help of FEFSI workers.
***Insiders whisper that a Maniratnam and Rajeev Menon koottani film is in the works!.. The hero of the film will be none other than Manoj Kumar - Bharathiraja's son. Interestingly, Manoj has served as Maniratnam's assistant for a considerable number of years. The fact that all the directors have ganged up together in the directors vs. actors/technicians shandai, has indeed made way for BR's son to enter the tamil cine field with his guru's nal aasi!
***Meanwhile, Bharathiraja plans to take an all-out computer graphics, naveena thozhil nutppam(as he calls it!) konda city-based tamil flick and has already packed off his son, Manoj, to the U.S. to learn the latest tricks and jaalam in the computer graphics field.
Amongst all the film news, the unfortunate happenings within FEFSI cannot be ignored. As of today, over 8 people have committed suicide, as they were unable to find a better solution to the strike themselves. Many have practically orphaned their children with their dismal decisions, leaving many artists like Ajeethkumar (who participated in one of the sava oorvalams) in tears.
Hope this is not the final solution that the tamil cinema industry has provided for all its workers.
