Pro-Tamil parties feel Dam 999 film is offensive

CHENNAI: Voices of dissent against the release of Dam 999, a Hollywood movie, which captures the aftermath of the collapse of a dam, have risen in the state. Pro-Tamil political parties are demanding that the film be banned as it is said to refer to the Mullaperiyar dam. Directed by Sohan Roy, the film centres on an ill-constructed dam and how it collapses and ravages the surrounding areas. The English film, released by Warner Bros, is scheduled for November 25. It has been dubbed in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi.Though called a tribute to the 2.5 lakh lives lost in 1975 during the Banqiao dam collapse in China, pro-Tamil parties in the state have dubbed the film as an attempt by the Kerala government to lobby for the demolition of the Mullaperiyar dam, by funding the venture. The movie’s title itself is mischievous, said MDMK chief Vaiko, as the number symbolises the 999-year water-sharing agreement between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Ten MDMK activists, including deputy general secretary Mallai Sathya, were arrested on Tuesday evening for attacking Prasad Lab, where a two-minute trailer of the film was scheduled for screening for the media. During the attack, the protestors also damaged the film reel of a Kannada film.Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan too has stated that the film has been shot with the purpose of creating fear among Tamils by showing them the dangers of a dam collapse, so that they agree to the demolition of the dam. He has also threatened to protest outside film halls, which release the movie. Seeman of the Naam Tamilar Iyakkam said that Kerala is trying this route as they were unsuccessful  in proving that the Mullaperiyar dam is not safe with the help of engineers and technology. PMK leader S Ramadoss also alleged that the Kerala government had assisted the project.In an earlier interview, filmmaker Sohan Roy had conceded that 999 denotes the 999-year contract between the two states.RV Mahalingam of Poornima Shankar Exim, which is distributing the film in TN and Andhra Pradesh, assured that the film had no reference to the Mullaperiyar dam and does not contain even one dialogue about the issue. “We are ready to screen the film for those parties that are objecting to the film’s release,” he said.