Director Sasikumar files complaint against financier after co-producer commits suicide

Well-known Tamil film director M Sasikumar has filed a police complaint against financier Anbu Chezhiyan after the director's relative and co-producer, Ashok Kumar, committed suicide at his residence in Valasaravakkam here tonight.

The complaint has been filed on the basis of a two-page note, allegedly left behind by Ashok Kumar. In the note, Ashok Kumar said he was left with only two options — to murder or to commit suicide, and he was choosing the latter.

According to the letter, Ashok Kumar was forced to take the extreme step because of the harassment meted out by a film financier from whom he had taken loans.

"For the last 10 years, we have been able to release all our films on time. The only big sin we committed is taking a loan from Anbu Chezhiyan. The man, who was charging interest upon interest on the loan we had borrowed for the last seven years, began behaving in a despicable manner six months ago. He threatened to kidnap the women and the elderly in my home using goons. Whom do I turn to for help?" the note said.

A visibly distraught Sasikumar, maker of Subramaniapuram (2008), was seen at the Valasaravakkam police station, lodging a police complaint. He was accompanied by a number of celebrities from the Tamil film industry, including directors Bala, Samudrakani, Karu Pazhaniappan and Ameer. 

Director Ameer, talking to reporters later, said the police had registered a case of abetment of suicide under section 306 of the Indian Penal Code.