Veteran director Bharathirajaa has defended his non-participation in the fast organized by the Tamil film fraternity last week against attack on theatres screening Tamil movies in Karnataka over the Hogennekal Water project issue.

Talking to media persons, Bharathirajaa, said, "I led a protest march on Cauvery water issue in 2002 in which thousands of Tamil film personalities took part. But an actor staged a fast the next day sperately in Chennai. None questioned him. Hence I chose to skip the protest this time".

He observed that the emotional speech made by Sathyaraj on the protest was true to the situation, but he exceeded stage decorum. His maiden television serial 'Thekkathi Ponnu' starring Nepolean, Ranjitha, Swarnamalya and Vagai Chandrasekhar will be on air in Kalaignar TV beginning 14 April.

The serial has musical score by Ilayaraja.