Tamil director ends hunger strike

Shobha Warrier in Madras

Tamil director Pukazhenthi ended his hunger strike on Friday after the Delhi Tribunal agreed to see his film, Kaatrukenna Veli on November 12.

Dasari Narayana Rao, noted Andhra Pradesh filmmaker and now a Rajya Sabha MP, was responsible for this turnaround. He saw the film late last week in Madras and then flew to Hyderabad. From there, he spoke with the Information & Broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj and appraised her of the situation. Only after the I&B minister intervened did the Delhi Tribunal gave a positive reply -- they would watch the film on November 12.

Dasari Narayana Rao immediately called Pukazhenthi at the Royapettah hospital, requesting him to end the strike.

Pukazhenthi asked for a written letter from the Tribunal. But after Rao coaxed him some more, Pukazhenthi decided to end his strike. At 9.30 pm, Dasari Narayana Rao's wife gave him lime water, thus ending his five-day-long strike.

"It was only because of his (Rao's) intervention that the matter ended so fast. After watching the film, he told me that it was a beautiful film and did not need any cut. I am hopeful," remarked a cheerful and hopeful Pukazhenthi, now preparing to go to Delhi next week.