Chennai, Saturday, November 01, 2008: Almost the entire Tamil cinema actors today turned up for the day-long fast to express their solidarity with the “affected Tamils” in the ongoing offensive in Sri Lanka. The big stage was painted black. Most of the actors turned up in black attire, to show their protest to the “continued killings” of Tamils in the island nation.

From the well-known to the little-known, most faces of Tamil cinema ensured they were present for a cause that has been dominating not only state politics but also national politics, with even a special envoy in the ranks of External Affairs Minister flying in to apprise the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister of the Centre’s steps taken in this issue.

The Nadigar Sangam (Artistes’Association) building swarmed with not only actors but also the common people who wanted to have a glimpse of their matinee idols.

The police had a tough time managing the eager onlookers.

Led by South Indian Artistes’Association president, actor-politician R Sarathkumar, the fast saw good attendance of top stars, including Rajnikant and Kamalhassan.

Some popular actors such as Ajith Kumar, who keep off such political issues, made available themselves. The directors and some stars had already taken out a rally on October 19 at Rameswaram.

Ajith Kumar and some others had not turned up for the day-long fast held early this year in support of Tamil Nadu’s right to the Rs 1334 crore Hogenakkal project in the wake of opposition from Karnataka. (Agency)