by reciprocal arrangement with Star of Mysore (MB)
 
Bangalore, Mar 19: The activists of Tamil organisations yesterday prevented the shooting of a Kannada film Mathadu Mathadu Mallige in Ooty on Saturday fpr the second day running.

The agitators did not even respect the Tamil actors' request not to obstruct the Kannada film shooting with Vishnuvardhan in the lead role.

Finally, the film crew crossed Tamil Nadu border with full Police protection, thus suspending their schedule. The agitators did not spare even Sushasini, a Tamilian. She left for Coimbatore with Police protection and returned to Chennai by flight.

Earlier, more than 100 agitators assembled in front of Golf Course in Ooty, where the Kannada film was being shot and tried to storm the shooting spot shouting slogans.

The agitators even had the support of Tamil media, it is said.

The sensational news reports published in Tamil newspapers regarding the previous day's incidents seemed to have provoked Saturday's incident.

Director of the film Nagatihalli Chandrashekhar said fortunately they did not face any problem because they were inside the Golf Club.

In view of Friday's incident, additional Police Force was deputed in Ooty as a precautionary measure. The Police prevented the agitators from entering the Golf Club. District Collector Mishra and Police Superintendent Vidya Kulkarni brought the situation under control.

Even the Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi's plea to the protestors not to disturb the film shooting fell on deaf ears.