DK wants Mayawati to see film on Periyar

Chennai, Oct 19 (IANS) The Dravida Kazhagam wants Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati to watch the Tamil film 'Periyar'.

The film, funded by the DMK government here, depicts the life and times of E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, popularly known as Periyar. He is credited to be the father of the Dravidian movement in Tamil Nadu.

The film has been selected to be among 21 films to be screened at the Goa International Film Festival. They were chosen from 119 entries.

Two Tamil films, 'Periyar' and 'Ammuvagiya Naan' (I named her Ammu) have been chosen for the festival, 'Periyar' director Gnana Raja Sekaran said Thursday.

'Periyar may be India's official entry in international film festivals in the coming year,' he said.

Dravida Kazhagam chief K. Veeramani said the party had sought an appointment with BSP leader Mayawati to show her the film.

Mayawati is reportedly planning to erect a Periyar statue in Lucknow. The BSP regularly contests civic body elections in Tamil Nadu.