Naam Tamizhar won't allow release of 'Madras Cafe' in Tamil Nadu

After attending the special screening of John Abraham-starrer "Madras Cafe" here Sunday, members of Tamil activist group Naam Tamizhar vowed not the allow the film's release in Tamil Nadu contending it portrays LTTE cadres as terrorists.

The private screening was attended by Tamil filmmaker and group chief Seeman and director R.K Selvamani along with many others.

"The film tries to portray late Prabhakaran, LTTE chief, as a terrorist. We don't appreciate it and request the distributors to not screen the film in the state. The sentiment of the film is anti-Tamil and we don't agree with it," Seeman told IANS.

"We wouldn't be bothered if our Sri Lankan brothers were not portrayed in a bad light. Prabhakaran sacrificed his life fighting for Sri Lankan Tamils. How can a film possibly portray him as a terrorist?" he asked.

"Madras Cafe" earned the wrath of pro-Tamil groups when its trailer was released in July.

However, speaking at an event recently here, John said: "My film doesn't take any sides. It doesn't portray anybody as terrorists."

Directed by Shoojit Sircar, "Madras Cafe" is slated to release Aug 23 worldwide. The film was even dubbed in Tamil to be exclusively released in Tamil Nadu.

The film, which also features Nargis Fakhri, Rashi Khanna and Leena Maria, deals with terrorism and civil war and was reportedly shot in Sri Lanka and India.