Pics: Mani Ratnam, Shankar, Murugadoss protest against the genocide in Sri Lanka

All members of the Tamil Nadu Film Director's Association (TNFDA) are participating in the bandh which will be held between 9 am and 6 pm today (March 19). The call on the strike was taken on Sunday against the ongoing genocide in Sri Lanka.

"Thousands of innocent Tamilians are being killed and this is our way of showing support to our brothers and sisters there," filmmaker Ameer Sultan, secretary TNFDA, said in a statement.

"We have requested all members of the Tamil film industry to stop shooting on that day and join us in the movement," he added. Directors like Mansur Ali Khan, Ram, SJ Surya, Mani Ratnam, Krishna Murthy, Suhasini, AR Murugadoss, KV Anand, Perasu, Ameer Sultan, Sharavanan Subbaiya, Illayaraja, Pandiraja, Jayam Raja, Lingusamy, Solomon, AL Vijay, Ramakrishnan, Sibiraj, Manobala and many others were spotted at the hunger strike. Continue reading the story with exclusive pictures on the slideshow...

Kollywood Strike

TNFDA headed by Ameer Sultan has kept five demands including reconsideration of bilateral ties with Sri Lanka in the light of the ethnic Tamils issue.

Kollywood Strike

TNFDA has also demanded implementing a Tamil Nadu Assembly resolution seeking economic sanctions against Colombo till Tamils are ensured status on par with majority Sinhalese.

Kollywood Strike

It has also pressed on conducting a referendum with Lankan Tamil diaspora for a separate Tamil Ealam (homeland).

Kollywood Strike

Members from other associations such as Film Employees' Federation of South India (FEFSI), South Indian Film Artistes' Association (SIFAA) and television artists are also taking part in the hunger strike.

Kollywood Strike

However, film related activities have come to a halt due to the bandh. Click Here For More Pics...