Director Sasikumar’s Cousin Commits Suicide, Blames Loanshark

Ashok Kumar, a cousin of popular Tamil cinema director Sasikumar, who was also an associate producer in some of Sasikumar's films, hanged himself to death on 21 November. He was found dead in his apartment in Chennai.

Ashok Kumar has blamed film financier Madurai Anbuchezhian in his suicide note for his decision to take his life

Ashok states in his letter that he has been paying back the loan to Anbuchezhian for the last seven years and is not able to cope with it anymore, since he was being continuously harassed and insulted.

Sasikumar shot to fame after he brought back movies set in rural Tamil Nadu in vogue, like Nadodigal and Subramaniapuram. Ashok Kumar worked as an associate producer in his film company.

Following the death, Sasikumar, and his friends in the industry - directors Ameer and Samuthrakani, have filed a complaint against the financier Anbuchezhian at the Valsaravakkam police station in Chennai.

“He was my cousin. He was like my shadow, he was a co-producer. He used to manage my film and financial affairs,” Sasikumar said.

Director Ameer has meanwhile blamed Anbucheziyan for the death of Ashok Kumar. "He was paying interest, and interest for interest. How much embarrassment can he take?" he asked, speaking to the media.

In cinema, everybody can speak like a hero, but in reality, we are all struggling. The loans sharks want the interest and at the same time, they block the release of the movie. Producers’ council must sit and talk about these issues or else it would lose its purpose

Ameer, Tamil Director, told The News Minute

"The involvement of loans sharks providing finance to Kollywood producers has always been a serious issue, which the state government had conveniently avoided to tackle as big profile players are involved. Even this matter will pass away silently," Ameer said.

(This article has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute)

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