A day after a rival faction of the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) locked the trade body’s offices at T. Nagar and Anna Salai, actor and TFPC president Vishal was detained by the police and taken to a nearby marriage hall in T. Nagar when he attempted to enter the premises on Thursday morning.

Later in the day, the Revenue Department sealed the premises. 

The rival faction led by A.L. Azhagappan, T. Siva, J.K. Rithesh and Suresh Kamatchi opposed Vishal’s style of functioning and, in protest, locked the TFPC offices on Yogambal Street in T. Nagar and Anna Salai on Wednesday.

Actor Vishal got into an argument with police personnel who were on duty following which he was detained at a wedding hall in Nungambakkam.   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Unilateral action 

They alleged that Vishal had been functioning unilaterally and taking decisons without convening the general body. 

They also met Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in this connection.

Vishal, on his part, insisted that the lock on the premises was “unauthorised”.

“Almost 7 films are going to release on December 21. I have work to do. I cannot be patient. We feel too anguished for you are all standing here to protect an unauthorised lock. I am the president of producers’ council. It is my office. Why are you preventing us from entering? Is there any court order barring my entry? Or any government order?” he repeatedly asked the police personnel.

With arguments between his supporters and the police becoming heated, Vishal and some of his supporters, including Mansoor Ali Khan and Praveen Gandhi, were detained at a marriage hall. They were released in the evening.

The police said both sides had lodged complaints, levelling charges against each other. “We have issued CSR to both sides,” they added.