Veteran Tamil actor and Nadigar Sangam President Nassar issued a statement on Thursday, July 27, addressing the controversy surrounding the new Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) rules, which were widely discussed after Telugu superstar Pawan Kalyan's speech during the Bro pre-release event in Hyderabad, Telangana. During the event, the Bheemla Nayak actor, fondly called 'Power Star' by his fans, made an appeal to the Tamil film industry to be more inclusive and open to working with people across all languages after there were reports stating that one of FEFSI's rules required only Tamil artistes to be employed in Tamil cinema.
Now, Nassar has released a statement and clarified the new rules implemented by FEFSI. He said, "There is wrong news going around the media that actors from other languages will not be entertained in the Tamil industry. It’s a very wrong statement. It's misinterpreted and mischievous information. If this kind of resolution is taken in the Tamil film industry, I will be the first to raise my voice against it. It’s because we are now in the era of pan-Indian films, global films where each and every language film needs actors, and talents from other industries. So, in this situation, nobody will take this kind of resolution."
Nassar further stated, "To protect the workers in the Tamil film industry, Mr. Selvamani (President of FEFSI) has taken some serious decisions that they have to be engaged in the filmmaking, which is made inside the boundaries of Tamil Nadu. It is about the workers' rights and protection. It is not about the talents. It is not about the actors. And, the Tamil film industry has a great tradition, a long tradition where talents from other industries are encouraged, invited, loved, and respected. From S. V. Ranga Rao garu to Savithri amma to Vanisri garu, we have had a long tradition. And so, my dear brothers, my dear fraternity, don't take this information seriously. It is not right. Together, we will make films and take them globally. We can do it and we have started making it. So, let us be together to make great films."
