VIJAY'S PUFF GETS PMK'S BULLET

What do superstar Rajinikanth and popular Tamil actor Vijay have in common? Both of them have had the PMK up in arms against them for smoking scenes in their films. As posters of Vijay's upcoming film 'Thuppakki' were plastered in some parts of Chennai showing him smoking, PMK - the party of former Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss - has shot off letters to the authorities condemning the violation of the ban on tobacco promotion. The protests have emanated from Pasumai Thayagam, the environmental wing of the Vanniyar-based PMK. A complaint has also been sent to the Chennai Police Commissioner.

Thuppakki, which means gun, with the tag line 'You don't shoot to kill but to stay alive' is slated for an Independence Day release and has Vijay and Kajal Aggarwal in the lead. Directed by AR Murugadoss of Ghajini fame, the music is being scored by Harris Jayaraj.

This isn't the first time the PMK has upped the ante against smoking scenes or posters. Many years ago, the screening of a Rajinikanth film 'Baba' had been disrupted by PMK workers because of smoking scenes. Later, a truce was called between the superstar and the PMK after he agreed to quit smoking in films in the public interest.


Just how the 'Illaya Thalapathi' or young commander Vijay, who has been silent on the protest so far, manages to cross this hurdle will be a climax even before the film is released!