Sri Lankan movie-makers seek Jayalalithaa's intervention

The makers of the Sri Lankan movie "With You, Without You" have sought the intervention of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to assure the theatres screening the film of adequate security so that it could be viewed by those who want to see it.

"We have sent a representation to the Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa asking for her intervention. It is a movie that has to be seen in Tamil Nadu. The movie is being seen by people in several parts of the country now," co-producer Rahul Roy told IANS over phone from Delhi.

The movie, about the post internal war situation in Sri Lanka and the result of denial of justice to Tamil people, was taken off by couple of theatres here Sunday following threat calls. Police refused to act on the complaint by the theatre officials.

"When the theatre officials approached police, they were told that the movie is sensitive and has to be dealt carefully," Roy said.

According to Roy, the movie directed by Prasanna Vithanage is now on the show in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbay, Pune and other places. It will be screened in Hyderabad and other cities.

"However it has to be seen by the people of Tamil Nadu. Several Tamil activists who had seen the movie have appreciated it," he said.

To a query whether he was surprised at the threat calls, Roy said: "In India unexpected things happen and hence it was not a surprise that there were threat calls. It is ironical, rather tragic that the film cannot be shown in Chennai and seen in other places."

According to him, there were requests from different organisations for screening the movie but it was decided to put it on the theatres so that large number of people can watch it.

"It is not a big movie and no big money is riding on it. It is a movie with a strong story line which anybody can see," he added.