On Friday, Susi Ganesan announced that he is all set to collaborate with Music Director Ilaiyaraaja for his next film, called ‘Venjam Theerthaayadaa’. He even shared a photo with the maestro and said, “Happy to join the Maestro Ilaiyaraaja sir. On board for #Vanjamtheerththaayadaa.”
Chinmayi, who was the first from the South film industry to boldly name Vairamuthu during the #MeToo movement, has criticised this collaboration and has questioned the choice made by the renowned music director. “Vanjam Theerthayada. Wow. That’s more or less what this director has been doing to Leena. Doesn’t Raja sir or his team know they are propping and working with a molester who is harassing the women who spoke up?” she asked.
However, this collaboration has not only been questioned by Chinmayi. Apart from netizens, many other has also expressed their discontent with Ilaiyaraaja’s choice to work with a #MeToo accused. Social activist and politician Dhivya Marunthiah wrote, “No wonder Leena Manimekalai is having a hard time. #Abusers like #SusiGanesan goes to any extent, until the victim go six feet below the ground. Or probably will never stop until the body dries out of blood. Take a stand, Please Folded hands One can’t abuse people & get away with it.”
While Leena has been repeatedly calling out Susi Ganesan, he has refuted her claims and has even filed a defamation law suit against her. At one point, he even managed to get her passport impounded, which she got back only after approaching the High Court.
It still remains a mystery whether Ilaiyaraaja would still work with Susi Ganesan, in spite of the backlash he is facing for it. Members of the film fraternity has chosen to work with those accused under #MeToo, in the past. Even Mani Ratnam, who initially was to have Vairamuthu as lyricist for Ponniyin Selvan, dropped the collaboration after major discontent from others in the film industry.
