All this drama because they were expecting Director Producer Thangar Bacchan who was to plead a public apology for having suggested that all heroines are equivalent to prostitutes.
Sarathkumar, Napolean, Radha Ravi, Surya, Abbas, Vadivelu, Charli, Jeyam Ravi and other actors, Kushbu, Manorama, Sripriya, Sangavi, Tejasri, Vindiya and other actresses had all aasembled at around 11am. Aachi was unusually clad in a black sari, perhaps to show her anger against Thangar.
Vijaikanth arrived soon after & now all the spectators were ready, but there was no sign of Thangar Bacchan. The Producers' sangam had given their word that they would make sure Thangar came & apologized. Based on this promise, Nadigar sangam cancelled the ban on filming.
Yesterday night, a joint report was released by Vijaikanth & secretary Sarathkumar that Thangar would apologise at 2.00pm, to make it convenient for all actors and actresses to be present.
Vijaikanth realized that the Producers union was upset by this action and hence the delay in presenting Thangar at the meeting. He contacted the Director Union's head S.A.Chandrashekar, who promised to take care of the matter. The assembled crowd was waiting patiently.
At 1.30pm, Thangar arrived. There had been strict conditions that there should be no photography or video shooting of the scene of apology. Cheran and Seeman were protecting Thangar from the photographers. This sight reminded us of the politicians arriving in splendour to court, with their sidelines nudging and pushing the media. S.A.C accompanied them.
Initially, the media was not allowed to be present. Then, the press person who had released the interview was questioned. He was firm that he had reported rightly and was ready to show the recorded tape. Thangar was finally forced to admit defeat & settled down to apologise. With Chearn & Seeman seated on either side as body guards, he gave out his statement in four mins.
"I did not say anything as represented in the magazine. They have twisted my words to mean something else. I am always being misquoted & my words misinterpreted. However, if my words did hurt, I am willing to apologise".
He immediately left the hall.
"Following the apology by Thangar, we take back our ban". Before Vijaikanth could finish his formal statement, there was great unrest amongst the assembled actresses.
"All he said was that his words were misinterpreted. He did not really seek apology for having spoken wrongly. His words are an insult not only to the current actresses, but also to the great actresses of yester years" - this was the complaint from Aachi. Kushbu was also boiling in anger.
Vijaikanth pacified everybody and then turned to the reporters who were eagerly throwing questions.
"What if this turns into a political issue?" asked one reporter, perhaps having Ramdas in mind.
"If it comes to that, we will face that too", said Vijaikanth.
The actresses however don't seem to be pacified. When Kushbu was asked for her opinion, she said "Who is Thangar Bacchan? We (actresses) can also use the same media used by Thangar to lash back at him."
It was clear from the dissatisfied attitude of the actresses, that the problem has not reached its final solution.
Bacchan has put his hand into a bee hive. He is sure to be punctured hard.
