Some political parties like the PMK, BJP and the Dalit Panthers of India have
taken umbrage over the statement that they see as promoting licentious
relations.
On Sunday, angry women volunteers of the Dalit Panthers of India armed with
broomsticks and chappals gathered outside the South India Film Artistes'
Association premises demanding an unconditional apology from the actor for her
remarks. The DPI also intended to protest outside her house in Raja
Annamalaipuram, but did not press with the agitation as Kushboo was out of
station.
Significantly, the main political parties - AIADMK, DMK and Congress - have
remained mum on the issue.
The remarks of Khushboo, who was the dream girl of the Tamil youth in the 1990s
and worshipped as a goddess, is seen by protestors as being against Tamil ethos
and culture.
The entire controversy assumes special significance in the context of the
Thankar Bachan issue which polarised Kollywood recently wherein Kushboo was
unequivocally opposed Bachan's remark allegedly labelling all actresses who
"act just for money's-sake" as being no better than prostitutes. Enraged
artistes demanded a personal apology from Thankar Bachan under the Sifaa
premises full glare of media.
When Bachan apologised on TV, it was not enough for the artistes and they went
on a day's strike, led by Vijaykanth, leader of Sifaa. His stance on the issue
did not sit well with many in the industry and also outside, including DPI
leader Thirumavalavan. It may be recalled that Vijaykanth subsequently floated
his own party, on September 14, called Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK).
Thankar Bachan when contacted by this website's newspaper denied that there was
any political colouring to the Khushboo controversy. Bachan said he had not
read the article in question.
The controversy surrounding Khushboo's statement however refuses to die a quick
death with the women's wing of PMK giving a call for an apology from the actor.
In a statement released to the press, PMK's women's wing has further stated its
plan to picket her house until she apologises. Failing that, the party would go
on a state-wide agitation to "drive Khushboo away from Tamil Nadu to Mumbai".
The entire episode is yet another example of the grey line which exists between
politics and cinema in the state.
