Chennai: Kasi Theatre in West Jafferkhanpet, known for displaying huge cutouts during release of big Kollywood films starring A-listers, is bereft of banners and cutouts in the wake of death of 23-year old techie Subashri Ravi.
Suriya’s fans have abstained from setting up banners of the film ‘Kaappan’, which released on Friday. His fans have not erected banners at another theatre - S2 Theyagaraja in Thiruvanmiyur, which was also well-known for displaying huge banners.
Fans of superstar Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Vikram, Vijay Sethupathy, Dhanush, Vijay, Vishal, Simbu, Arya, Jayam Ravi, Prabhu Deva, R Parthiepan, Santhanam and Karthi used to display huge cutouts and banners during release of films featuring them.
A thick air of festive atmosphere would descend at the theatre and Paal abisegam on actors’ cutouts would be performed for all big releases in the State. When Ajith’s film Nerkonda Paarvai hit the silver screen, fans offered flowers at their stars’ banners in Kasi theatre last month.
On September 12, the techie, Subhasri Ravi was killed when an illegal banner set by AIADMK councillor C Jayagopal in Pallikaranai fell on her while she was riding home on a two-wheeler. She lost control of the vehicle and fell on the road and was run over by a water tanker. The lorry driver was arrested by the police. However, Jayagopal, who was booked for setting up the illegal hoarding, remains absconding.
The death of the young techie sent shock waves among the people. Various political parties including DMK, PMK, CPI(M) CPI and Makkal Neethi Maiam condemned the incident. Condolences poured in on the social media. The Chennai Corporation swung into action and removed several thousand illegal banners and flex boards from across the city. The authorities ordered removal of illegal banners across the state.
A few days after death of the techie, Kollywood actors, including Vijay and Suriya spoke out against the rampant cutout culture in the state. They requested their fans not to erect giant cutouts ahead of big releases. Following this, actor Suriya fans have not set up banners in any theatres, in which his film, Kaappan, was released on Friday. They have also not set banners in other theatres where the film has been released.
A social activist, S Lakshman of Thiruvanmiyur said “it is good development. However, it came only after death of the techie. Only ardent fans celebrate the release of films in the State. They spend huge amount for erecting such banners and cutouts.
The actors used these fans to make the film a box office hit and make money”. Sathish of Saidapet said “I hope such cutout culture becomes history”.
