Tinsel world is not generally seen as a place of overwhelming togetherness. If anything, it is sometimes perceived as next only to politics in terms of infighting, squabbles and disputes within one’s own field of work, which is maybe one of the reasons so many people from films enter politics. There have been many instances of directors making complaints on non-cooperation of actors, producers accusing artistes of not sticking to commitments, stars hitting back stating that their dates were never properly utilized, pay issues and numerous other disagreements which have at many times jeopardized the fate of films, many of which still lie in cans hoping for salvation on the silver screen. But 2008 witnessed two very emphatic shows of unity across the film industry. It is ironic to observe that while the disputes relating to film matters have remained, the film fraternity united for some matters totally independent of movies. This shows that when it is for a cause, professional differences are easily set aside.The first instance was the protest against Karnataka’s stand on the Hogenakkal issue. Now, let’s not get into the finer details of who was right in their claims, those are things best left to political arbitrators. Well, Tamil cinema artistes turned up in full force to show that they thought that Tamil Nadu was right in its demands. While many spoke many things on that day, it was only a certain ‘kick’ that was remembered, for all the wrong reasons. Obviously, the ‘kick’ did not have its timing spot on and even though completely unintentional, it seemed to have hurt some very sensitive spots in Karnataka. The unity that Tamil cinema showed lasted for just that one day, because the man who delivered the ‘kick’ in the heat of the moment was left to face the consequences by himself, even receiving occasional criticism from his own side about the manner in which he was facing the consequences which culminated in an expression of regret that was seen by many as an insult to Tamil Nadu. But, cynicism apart, the incident showed that given the right reasons, it was not tough to find backing from Tamil cinema. It was reminiscent of some of the joint protests that we have seen in the past, especially the one that took place a few years ago in Neyveli.
The Hogenakkal issue passed. But the more equivocal show of unity and support came for a far more pressing reason. The Sri Lankan Tamils issue has been rankling for more than two decades now and all that resentment seemed to burst out at once in a show of protest against the inhuman acts that are happening in the island country. Neither memory, nor a search of chronicles reveals any greater show of unity in the Tamil film industry. The sounds echoed in almost every corner of Tamil Nadu. As if symbolizing cinema in its hierarchy, the protests were led by the directors with some fiery speeches and ideas at Rameshwaram. Some of the speeches were even misunderstood as sedition, but that should be a case of words being read out of context. The actors followed the directors, every one came in black, the solidarity shown was greater than before, everyone spoke their heart out not caring much about consequences even after a couple of directors had to court arrest for what they said. This sparked off many other similar protests, the technicians, fans’ associations and other groups in their own small way. This managed to filter across cinema into the other realms where funds were collected for the welfare of Lankan Tamils; cinema was having an effect on society, for once it was good and it did not come from the screen.
Cinema is undoubtedly an industry where disputes and arguments rise like no other and are also publicized like no other. This might be partly attributed to the risky nature of film business where fortunes fluctuate every weekend and huge amounts can be made or lost in a matter of days. But, cinema too can stand united when there is one common cause and to see Tamil cinema identify such causes as worth standing up for was definitely heartening.
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