Rulers responsible for rising obsession with cinema: Seeman

Seeman on Friday alleged that successive governments in Tamil Nadu were responsible for the growing fascination with cinema among the public, claiming that political leaders themselves had encouraged the trend for electoral gain. Speaking at a public event, the chief coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi said the “movie craze” seen among people today did not emerge naturally but was cultivated over the years by those in power. According to Seeman, political rulers promoted film personalities and cinematic culture in politics to attract voters and strengthen their own political influence. As a result, he said, cinema gradually became deeply intertwined with the State’s political landscape. He argued that the situation had led to a political environment where public attention was often diverted toward film personalities rather than serious policy discussions or governance issues. The NTK leader further said that politics should focus on addressing people’s real concerns, including livelihood, education and development, instead of encouraging celebrity-driven political culture. Seeman’s remarks come amid continuing debates in Tamil Nadu over the long-standing relationship between cinema and politics, with several prominent political leaders in the State having emerged from the film industry.