Films may come and go but the tiff at the Nadigar Sangam between two factions seems to be grabbing eyeballs now. The Madras High Court intervened to oversee the elections for the president of the Tamil cinema body. Team Vishal won the elections with Nasser taking over as president and Vishal as secretary. A few actors showed their support towards a particular faction while a few others have been noticibly silent on the issue. Here is a look at the Sangam and the battle for the big seat over the years...
Nadigar Sangam elections-2015
The Nadigar Sangam election is the hottest topic in the Tamil cinema industry today. On October 18, Team Vishal grabbed eyeballs with Nasser being elected as president and Vishal as secretary. Former High Court judge, Justice E. Padmanabhan, presided over the election, as per the Madras High Court orders. The elections are held once in three years, and during the last election in 2012, Sarathkumar was re-elected, unopposed for the third time.
Why did a judge oversee the elections?
- In November 2010 trouble began Nadigar Sangam decided to demolish the existing building and construct a commercial complex. The association signed an agreement with a private company to lease out the land for 30 years.
- The idea was to construct a multi-storey building to house a multiplex and an exclusive space for the association.
- The old building was later demolished. In 2012, many members raised a voice of dissent against the move and filed a case against Sarathkumar and Radha Ravi.
- Actor Vishal and a few others began raising questions about the way Nadigar Sangam functioned.
- Vishal and his group insisted that the agreement with the private party be cancelled and asked for the Sangam to construct its own building.
Team Sarathkumar | Team Nasser (Pandavar Ani) |
---|---|
Supported by secretary Radha Ravi, Silambarasan, Urvashi, Poornima Bhagyaraj, Radhikaa Sarathkumar | Supported by Vishal, Ponvannan, Karunas, Kushboo, Karthi and Kamal Haasan |
For leasing out the Nadigar Sangam building | Against the move of allowing a private body to take over the Nadigar Sangam building |
Announced election on July 15, 2015 | Vishal contested this in court and election, to be overseen by a judge, will be held on October 18 |
Alleged ‘wrong practices’ by other team to ‘win election’ | "They decided to delay the polls, which should have been completed by May 31, this year, in accordance with the association’s by-law" |
Nadigar Sangam - How it all began
MGR
M.R.Radha
Sivaji Ganesan
The Nadigar Sangam was formed in 1952 by MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, M.R.Radha and a few others. MGR and company contributed funds and purchased 99 cents of land in Habibullah Road, T. Nagar, Chennai. When MGR became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977, the Nadigar Sangam constructed a new building, comprising a preview theatre, a gym and an office space.
Cast of characters
S.Ve.Sekar
After Vijayakant floated DMDK, S. Ve. Shekher, requested that active politicians not be allowed to head the Sangam. Vijayakant stepped down, and Sarathkumar took over in 2006.
Vijayakant
In early 2000, the association ran up a huge debt, which was cleared by Vijayakant, by organising a fund-raising event. Since then, the Sangam has taken to organising such events regularly.
Poochi Murugan
The old Sangam building was later demolished, and in 2012, Poochi Murugan (a member) filed a case against Sarathkumar, Radha Ravi for not adhering to norms.
Radha Ravi
Incumbent secretary of the Sangam. He has openly alleged his support to team Sarathkumar. Notably, his father M.R.Radha was a co-founder of the association.
Vishal
Raised voice of dissent against current management. Filed a case for a court-appointed date for conduct of election
Kushboo
Actor Kushboo says she will vote for actor Vishal's team in the elections. “New people must run it,” said the 80’s star
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan supported the nomination of his close collaborator, actor Nasser. The veteran actor also stated his support for a 'change.'
Rajinikanth
"I met Rajinikanth thrice and he wished me well for the elections," actor Sarathkumar has said.
Read more...
> Sarath Kumar rebuts allegations
The Nadigar Sangam chief provides a point by point rebuttal for allegations made by the faction led by actor Vishal.
>No status quo at Nadigar Sangam
The bone of contention, ahead of the association elections on October 18, is the Sangam's property.
> All set for elections
Sarath Kumar files nomination; Kamal Haasan, Karti, Vishal pitch for Nasser
>Battle for Kollywood
Sarathkumar and Nasser vie for the most coveted position in the Tamil film industry.
> Vishal firm on contesting polls
"There is no question of a compromise and our team will contest the election,"he said.
>War of words continues in Nadigar Sangam
Despite various film bodies urging unity, the war of words among groups in the Nadigar Sangam continued unabated.
>Battlelines drawn for Nadigar Sangam polls
Members of the ‘Pandavar Ani’, led by actor Vishal, have raised the issue of security at the election venue.
>Don’t foresee any problems: Sarath Kumar
On Team Vishal's request to ensure maximum police presence at venue, Sarath Kumar said that he did not expect any incident to take place.
>Watching over voting day
Justice E. Padmanabhan, who will oversee the elections, talks about his duties.
>Theatre will get more opportunities: Vishal
Vishal vehemently condemned the issue involving him allegedly passing remarks about the CM.
>Nadigar Sangam poll lives up to hype
Actor Rajinikanth lit a fuse to the vexed issue of what the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association must be called in future.
>Nadigar Sangam polls: As it happened
Nasser has been elected president, while Vishal and Karthi have been elected general secretary and treasurer respectively.
(with inputs from Udhav Naig)