Actor Suriya's fans stage protest outside Sun TV office

Fans of actor Suriya today, 20 January, gathered outside the office of Sun TV network in Chennai to condemn two anchors of the channel who had made fun of the actor on a television programme. 

It may be recalled that the television anchors, while talking about Suriya's upcoming projects, had discussed the possibility of Amitabh Bachchan being a part of his next film with director KV Anand. The anchors passed comments on how Suriya would be able to act with someone as tall as Bachchan, further adding that Suriya might have to use a stool.

They also referred to Suriya's previous project with Anushka Shetty, suggesting that the actor was shorter than the actress and had to work harder in the project.

The statements sparked off widespread condemnation and over a thousand people gathered in front of the Sun TV office demanding an apology from the anchors and the channel for the insensitive remarks.

The protestors were seen carrying placards that read, 'Height isn't important. What is important is a good heart. This is a protest to condemn the condescending criticism of the anchors of Sun TV.' 

Meanwhile, the actor has appealed to his fans to not react and spend their time in useful activities instead. "Let us not lower our dignity by reacting to such undignified and crude criticism. Spend your energy and time on activities that will be useful to society," he said.

Celebrities from the Tamil film industry too have condemned the channel. Karunakaran, a renown comedian, came down hard on the channel and the anchors yesterday. "When you don't have the skills to run a show, don't be stupid. Please!" he said.

SR Prabhu, too spoke against the anchors — "Won't people there be bothered about growing brains?" 

Actor Vishal, who is also the president of the Tamil Film Producers' Council and the secretary of the South Indian Artistes' Association (SIAA), too had posted a tweet, calling the act of the channel unethical and senseless, "Funny !! ???? Absolutely not.  How unethical in the name of sense of humour. Totally senseless," he wrote.