Scores of assistant directors protested in front of the office of Tamil Film Directors’ Assocation in Chennai to express their support to Ponnusamy, who is one among them and who had assisted director Radhamohan in Mozhi and Payanam.
Ponnusamy claims that the script of Thandavam is his and that he had been ‘cheated’ by Dhananjayan of UTV Motion Pictures (producers of Thandavam).

The controversy has already witnessed some heads rolling in Tamil Film Producers’ Council (TFPC) and the TFDA.  Ameer sent in his resignation as the secretary of the TFPC yesterday protesting against him being made the ‘scapegoat’ in the Thandavam controversy.  He had said that he was quittin as he couldn’t tolerate the office of TFPC and its status getting ‘lowered’ by those who visit and shout at him at the Office.

The assistant directors assembled in front of the office of the Assocation and raised slogans against its office-bearers for not supporting Ponnuswamy and demanded expelling of director A.L. Vijay (director of Thaandavam) from the TFDA.  The Court’s decision not to stay the release of Thaandavam in theatres had further irked them.

Instead of supporting Ponnuswamy, Ameer and Karu Pazhaniyappan were acting in a way which appeared to be favouring the director and producer of Thaandavam, the protesters alleged.  Jagadeesan, Aindhukovilan, Balamuralivarman, Vijayashankar and Virumandi a.k.a. Kamalakkannan are the five working committee members of TFPC who have resigned in support of Ponnuswamy’s claims.

Later, Varman said “It’s apparent that Vijay had simply copied Ponnuswamy’s script and the dialogues but he is not having the courage to admit it.  We only demand that Ponnuswamy’s name should be credited in the title cards.  The TFDA purposely delayed inquiries into the case following which Ponnuswamy approached the Court.  We also condemn Ameer’s verbal tirade against us.”

Kollywood circles say on condition of anonymity that the silence of veteran director Bharathiraaja, who happens to be the president of TFDA, in this case is disturbing.