Simran to sue producer for portraying her as an Aids victim in new Malayalam film

Thiruvananthapuram • Tamil star Simran, who had rejected many offers for being unglamorous, plans to sue the producer of her debut Malayalam film, Heartbeats, for casting her as an Aids patient.

Simran should curse the stars because she is no more the rage of Tamil filmdom. But she still has a toehold in the industry though her abortive love affair and subsequent marriage to a “somebody”, from Delhi had dented her prospects.

The film, though released a few days ago, was taken out of all releasing centres after a gap of just three days. The film protagonist is Simran, who plays the role of a woman who happens to land in the middle of a group of house-surgeons in a Medical College.

Indrajit, who plays the role of a house-surgeon, falls in love with her and in the end she dies of Aids.

The news about Simran acting in a Malayalam film was received with great fanfare in the Malluwood as Simran had said “No” to many similar offers from the Malayalam film industry.

However, the actress now says that she has been shocked to find that her character `Thankam George’ in the film, Heartbeats, has been portrayed as an Aids patient who succumbs to the deadly disease in the end.

According to Simran, the producer-director of the film had at no point of time told her about her role as an Aids patient.

“I am going to sue the producer and the director for Rs 200 million. I’ve the full script and other details they had given me before I gave them my call sheet. If they dare to cheat an experienced artiste like me, what wouldn’t they do to newcomers’?” she asks.

According to Simran, the story and her character, as explained by the director and producer of the movie, was different from what they had portrayed in the film.

Simran’s anguish at being painted as an Aids victim is nothing new to the industry. Reigning superstars wouldn’t even essay a role that cast them in an unglamorous light.

But, outside filmdom, the theme evokes pathos: Why should a gifted actor shun a poignant character. Recently, a Tamil actress had died of Aids. Does the disease ring alarm bells for the industry?