Click to play videoTamil Nadu is keeping the Sri Lankan pot boiling. Filmstars Rajinikant and Kamal Haasan are leading an eight hour fast called by the film industry in Chennai on Saturday. The fast is meant to be a protest against alleged atrocities carried out by the Sri Lankan army against ethnic Tamils. Sri Lankan Tamils - who buy overseas rights of Tamil films - are a huge money spinner for the film industry.
Tamil Film Artist Association's president R Sharat Kumar spoke to CNN-IBN and expressed his views that a concrete action towards a resolution of the Lankan issue is needed to restore peace in the island nation.
CNN-IBN: What are you looking to achieve in this fast today?
Sharat Kumar: There's nothing to achieve, we are here to show our solidarity for the cause. For the Sri Lankan Tamils that are suffering over there in the crossfire that is taking place in Sri Lanka. And we are with our Tamil brothers who are suffering. There are lot of families who are hiding in forests without food or shelter. Without proper medical supplies and children not being able to go to school.
CNN-IBN: Few days ago, we saw a similar protest by the film industry in Rameshwaram but most of the actors were not there. But today you have organised this fast and a lot people who were present at Rameshwaram are not here. Is there some kind of a divide in the film industry?
Sharat Kumar: No there is no divide in the film industry, and I'd just like to state that it might not have been possible for all the artists to come on such a short notice to Rameshwaram. But we are with the cause and we supported them.
CNN-IBN: Now that the DMK government has taken back the resignation threat it had posed on the Centre and the Centre has also issued t a joint statement with the Sri Lankan government. What more are you expecting the government to do?
Sharat Kumar: We would like a permanent solution and not always negotiations and talks. The implementation of any committee should be effective. Since 1948 after the independence of Sri Lanka this has been going on since 60 odd years. The national committee should look into this and try to bring peace in the island nation.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.