The upcoming Nadigar Sangam elections are getting serious day-by-day. Recently, at a press meet Raadhika Sarathkumar alleged that Vishal and his Pandavar Ani is trying to divide the film fraternity. She also addressed the Paayum Puli actor with his surname Reddy.

However, this didn't go well with Vishal. He pointed out that Raadhika is trying to add a caste-touch to the entire issue only to gain an upper hand in the elections. He also added that the South Indian Film Artiste Association, which is popularly known as Nadigar Sangam, has no place for caste.

“They are pushing for a compromise only to make sure Sarathkumar continues his role as Nadigar Sangam’s president,” said actor Vishal as he rejected any form of compromise in the Nadigar Sangam elections, which will be held on October 18 in Chennai.

“We want the Nadigar Sangam members from across the State to participate in the free and fair elections. There is no question of us withdrawing from contesting,” he said.

When asked about the recent controversy involving him having allegedly passed remarks about the Chief Minister of the State with regard to the Nadigar Sangam elections, Mr. Vishal vehemently condemned it and denied having said anything controversial. “We have great regard and respect for Tamil Nadu CM. She is well aware of what is happening,” he said.

Stating that steps would be taken to improve opportunities for theatre and drama actors who are a part of the Nadigar Sangam, Team Vishal announced said that they would create and maintain a detailed information registry if elected to the office. “This will help us in giving them opportunities during the off-season in films. Most of the time we are unable to as we aren’t sure about their whereabouts which is why a registry or a portal with their complete details and photographs would help,” said actor Karthi.

Actor Nasser, who is contesting for the top post, said that they would also train theatre artistes for cinema. “Theatre and cinema are two different mediums. We will have training programmes to help them make the transition,” he said.

Actors Kovai Sarala and Karunas said that in their individual capacity, they had been helping struggling theatre artistes and if voted to power, they could do much more for them.

Theatre artistes make the majority of the members in the Nadigar Sangam and their votes would decide the result of the elections.

During an interaction with mediapersons, members and supporters of the Pandavar Ani, led by Nasser and Vishal said postal voting for the elections would begin on October 11.

Reiterating their stand for having the elections, members of the Pandavar Ani said that they never launched a personal attack against the opposing faction led by Sarathkumar and had only spoken facts which were based on court orders and evidence about the mismanagement of funds.