Sasikumar alleges harassment

The police have formed two special teams to investigate the suicide of producer-director B. Ashok Kumar and arrest film-financier Anbuchezhiyan, named in the FIR. The financier, according to a suicide note, had been charging exorbitant interest for a loan taken from him by Ashok Kumar and threatened to harm his family. According to a complaint filed by actor-director-producer M. Sasikumar, his cousin, Ashok Kumar was residing in Alwarthirunagar and was a a co-producer in his film company. Jointly, they were producing a movie called Kodi Veeran, slated to be released on November 30.

Huge losses

They had already released a movie called Tharai Thappatai, to produce which they had taken a loan from Madurai Anbuchezhiyan. “We were paying interest for the loan. As the movie did not succeed as expected, we faced huge losses,” reads the complaint filed by Mr. Sasikumar

While the work for releasing Kodi Veeran was going on, Anbuchezhiyan allegedly approached them and demanded they repay their loan with a high interest. As Sasikumar was busy with the movie, Ashok Kumar was handling the issue. “On November 21, I was not able to contact him so I sent my manager Muthu, driver Raja and friend Akilan to inquire. As no one opened the door, they broke in and inside they found him hanging from the fan,” said the actor in his complaint lodged at the Valsaravakkam police station.

The police have recovered Ashok Kumar’s cell phone and a two-page suicide note in which he had alleged harassment by the financier, who said he had political clout and could influence the police. “We have registered a case under section 306 (abetment of suicide). As of now the financier is absconding. The family is yet to produce materials with regard to the loan and the high rates of interest. Based on it we will add relevant sections,” said a senior police officer.