(Image source from: Deccan Herald.com)

In favor of Tamil film ‘Mersal’, the sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran joined the chorus on Monday.

The movie is currently facing the heat of BJP. Dhinakaran said the demand of the saffron party to delete scenes on GST amounted to “insulting freedom of expression.” The “aggressive” posture of BJP National Secretary H Raja on this matter, was also questioned by him. Dhinakaran answering the queries of reporters on the controversy surrounding the Vijay-starrer flick, mockingly said that the film crew should thank Raja and BJP state President Tamilisai Soundrajan for giving such publicity for the movie.

“The censor board has allowed (the film’s release) and they are now objecting (to certain scenes on GST)… this amounts to insulting freedom of expression,” he said.

The film has only tried to highlight an issue, Goods and Services Tax, “affecting people”, said Dhinakaran.

“I don’t know why Raja is so aggressive. His tone is intimidating. This is a shameful thing for all politicians, including me,” he said.

Dhinakaran added that the BJP leaders could have sorted out the issue with the film producers through talks. “Mersal”, which released on Diwali, has kicked up a row with the BJP taking exception to references on GST in the movie.

The “incorrect” references be deleted from the big-budget flick demanded the BJP leaders, including Raja, Tamilisai Soundarajan and Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan.

However, the film crew on the issue was supported by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, his senior colleague P Chidambaram, DMK working president M K Stalin, veteran star Kamal Haasan, Tamil Film Producers Council, South Indian Artistes’ Association and a host of Tamil cinema industry representatives.

SUPRAJA