R ARIVANANTHAM
Nachchiyal Films has made a documentary ‘Marina Puratchi’ (Marina Revolution), based on 2017 non-violent protest against ban on ‘Jallikkattu’ (bull taming) on the shores of Marina, directed by MS Raj. This was cleared by the Censor Board after a long struggle.
Incidentally, this film has won many an awards at Norway and Korea film festivals.
As a socio-conscious ventures, Nachchiyal Films and Tharuvai Talkies have joined hands to produce an investigative documentary on Thoothukudi police firing as ‘Pearl City Massacre’. ‘Marina Puratchi’ director MS Raj has directed this film also.
Speaking with navjeevanexpress.com, MS Raj said, “This film has been made on Thoothukudi police firing that took place on 22 and 23 May 2018 in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, India. The violence took place during an ongoing protest against proposed expansion of a copper smelter plant run by Sterlite Corporation in Thoothukudi town. Police opened fire on the protesters, killed 13 people and left 102 injured. Several policemen were also injured during the protests.”
This documentary has registered the chilling violent incidents with quotes of the witnesses along with the failures of the government machinery with adequate evidences.
Incidentally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in November 2018, registered cases on several unidentified police personnel and revenue department officials of Tamil Nadu for the death of the 14 protesters, including cases of criminal intimidation and criminal conspiracy. The United nations condemned the firing by the police as excessive and disproportionate.
“We have held a special show for the family members of the police firing victims. They not only appreciated the documentary but also signed petitions urging justice while wiping out their tears. We have planned to screen this docu film in 32 countries and collect the signatures of viewers for presenting before the Tamil Nadu Government. We request the media to render their support in our quest for justice,” MS Raj added.
