Many of the actors, directors & producers at the event were dressed in black.
The Tamil Nadu film industry has shut down today to express solidarity with J Jayalalithaa, the chief of ruling party AIADMK and former state Chief Minister who was convicted in a corruption case by a court in Bangalore on Saturday and sentenced to four years. (
Jayalalithaa to Stay in Jail for now, Film Industry on Strike)
Theatres across the city will remain shut till 6 pm; filming and production-related activities have been called off for a day.
A group of actors, directors and producers - many of them dressed in black - went on a day-long hunger strike at Chepauk in Chennai. Among them were actors Sarath Kumar, Bagyaraj, Srikanth, S J Surya and directors P Vasu, Chandrasekhar and producer Kunjumon. (
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Actor Rajinikanth, who is on an outstation shoot, and actor Kamal Haasan, who is recuperating after a spell of ill health, could not join the strike as it was organised at a short notice. (
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Ms Jayalalithaa is a former actor herself.
Actor Srikanth says, "She is a part of or our family. This is not a protest; we are expressing solidarity with her at this hour of crisis".
"Amma has done a lot for the industry. While she would come clean in the case, we want her to know we are with her," says Siva, the secretary of the producers' council.
Chandrasekhar, a director, says "I am a Tamilian. I'm not going to criticise the law or the order because the same law will soon release her".
Although voices in the industry call this a mere expression of solidarity, the posters put up border on, according to many, contempt of court.
One poster, featuring Jayalalithaa, says, "How can man punish a God?" while another says, "Release our brave mother".
Actor and legislator Sarath Kumar says, "We are proud of Ms Jayalalithaa as she is originally an actor from our fraternity. We are not threatening the court. But clearly there is a case for political vendetta and the 100 crore fine is unprecedented".