The actor-producer also demands that he be invited to Nadigar Sangam to give an explanation for his actions in the next 21 days.
Actor Mansoor Ali Khan held a press meet at his Chennai residence on 21 November. (Screengrab)
Rejecting the demand of the South Indian Artistes’ Association (SIAA) for a public apology for his objectionable comments against an actress, actor-producer Mansoor Ali Khan on Tuesday, 21 November, said he would not tender an apology.
Further, he gave an ultimatum to the SIAA — better known as the Nadigar Sangam — asking it to withdraw the statement issued against him within the next four hours.
The actor also wanted the association to invite him for an explanation in the next 21 days, as per its by-laws.
“They have committed a Himalayan blunder. I am a lifetime member of the Nadigar Sangam and I am among the senior members. When an issue arises, do you not hear both sides first before arriving at a decision? There was not even a call or a question or a notice to me, asking me to explain my statements. Is this how you run an association?” Khan questioned.
Pointing out that Nadigar Sangam had released the statement without hearing his side, which then got everybody else to rally against him, the actor explained the context in which he made the statements.
“I spoke about the need for a caste census in Tamil Nadu like how it was being done in Bihar. I said that if the caste census happens here, then we don’t need to beg anybody for reservations. Everybody would get jobs as per their representation. However, they have cut all that out and taken one small part as a video clip,” he said.
Khan said he was asked for his opinion on lyricist Vairamuthu expressing disappointment over heroines not being given importance in films. “I wished to highlight the importance of heroines and said ‘I too was disappointed’,” he claimed.
Asking journalists what a rape scene in a film meant, the actor questioned, “When heroes commit murder on screen, in a film, are they murdering for real? Is this even an issue?”
Khan said he had been in the film industry for a long time and added that he was not someone who would speak ill of artistes.
“Well-known comedian-actor S Ve Sekhar made some really objectionable statements about women. Let the commission arrest him first. Did the Women’s Commission go to Manipur?” he asked.
Warning Nadigar Sangam not to provoke him, the actor-producer said, “I am trying to be patient. I am getting ready to struggle politically. If I stand up, there will be an upheaval.”
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