Mani Ratnam in compensation row

The Lightmen Union on Tuesday slammed one of their own, Manimaran, for his allegations against filmmaker Mani Ratnam.

Manimaran has threatened to go on a hunger strike if not compensated for medical expenses incurred while working on Ratnam’s 2007 film

The lightman had suffered a blood-related infection on the sets of Guru, and claims neither the Lightmen Association nor Ratnam’s team had compensated him for the treatment in the past decade.

“His allegations against us and Mani Ratnam are unfair. He sued us in Labour Court and the Union was ordered to pay him Rs1 lakh [Rs100,000, Dh5,686] which has already been settled,” Lightmen Union Secretary Raman said. “This issue was settled amicably long back. We even have a letter of acknowledgement from him,” he added.

Manimaran has even threatened to commit suicide in front of Ratnam’s house if not compensated. “He is trying to exploit the situation and earn sympathy. When the issue has already been settled, I don’t understand why he is creating a scene now,” Raman said.

Sources from Ratnam’s production house Madras Talkies were unavailable for comment. —IANS