Director Bharathirajaa has resigned from the post of president of the Tamil Nadu Film Directors’ Association, stating that the union must elect its leader as per democratic terms.
Sources close to the association said that an election is likely to be held this month.
In a letter addressed to directors and assistant directors of the association, Bharathirajaa wrote, “I was selected as the president of the Sangam unanimously by its members, directors and office bearers last month and I thank you for choosing me. However, I am well aware of the problems that will arise from unanimous selection without contesting elections. So, I volunteer to resign from my post to facilitate elections in a democratic manner. I will continue offering my unconditional support for the benefit of the association in all our future activities.”
Official Statement Of Dir #Bharathiraja regarding his resignation from the Post of Directors Union President…@offBharathiraja pic.twitter.com/C6eaNVzqTP
— Thiyagu PRO (@PROThiyagu) July 1, 2019
Bharathirajaa was selected as the president of the association after a unanimous resolution was passed at the general body meeting attended by the association members, at Kamala Theatre in Chennai on June 10. The filmmaker succeeded director Vikraman who had been the association president for three consecutive terms.
According to various reports, he spoke to the media later and said, “The association has always been united and will continue to function the same way. I hope to do more and work for the welfare of the members.”
At the meeting, he had also said that he would support his student actor-director K Bhagyaraj in elections to the South Indian Artistes’ Association (Nadigar Sangam), which were held on June 23.
The director is also spearheading the ad-hoc committee of the Tamil Film Producers’ Council, which will function as an advisory body until elections to the Council are announced.
Bharathirajaa is a National Award-winning director who made his debut with 16 Vaiyathinile in 1977. Some of his most popular films are Nizhalgal, Muthal Mariyathai, Mann Vasanai, Karuththamma and Kadal Pookal, and he has also directed films in Telugu and Hindi.
Several people showed support for the veteran director when he became the president of the directors’ body last month. Filmmaker Seenu Ramasamy shared the news on Twitter and said he was grateful for the decision.
தமிழ்நாடு திரைப்படஇயக்குனர் சங்கத்தலைவராக ஒருமனதாக அனைவரின் அன்புக்காக தலைவராக
பொறுப்பேற்ற
எங்கள் மண்ணின் மூத்த உயிர் இயக்குனர் இமயம் திரு,பாரதிராஜா அவர்களுக்கு அன்பும் நன்றியும்— Seenu Ramasamy (@seenuramasamy) June 10, 2019
