Chennai: If Vijay’s Sarkar saw plagiarism charges before its release, it’s now time for the film to face the heat from the ruling AIADMK for alleged portrayal of the State government in bad light.
A section of Ministers has demanded a few scenes be cut from the movie, while a few threatened to even file a case against the film’s makers.
Interestingly, AMMK leader T T V Dhinakaran today chose to go quiet stating that he would comment only after seeing the movie and would do it soon.
Sarkar hit the screens for Deepavali. Directed by A R Murugadoss, it features Vijay in the role of an NRI who comes to Tamilnadu to cast his vote. A series of events leads him to jump on to the political bandwagon. There are alleged references to AIADMK Ministers and Varalaxmi plays a baddie named Komalavalli, which the AIADMK men claim is Jayalalithaa’s original name.
The film takes a dig at giving out freebies, a practice both major political parties in the State – the ruling AIADMK as well the DMK – had indulged in the past.
State Minister Kadambur Raju said, “People will not accept these political motives. There is no relationship between the State government and the Central Board of Film Certification. Still, it has come to our attention. We will also take this to the attention of the Chief Minister. If they (the makers) remove these scenes, then it is good. If not, we will think of the next course of action.”
Law Minister C Ve Shanmugam said he was merely expressing his personal opinion on the film. “I strongly feel that all persons concerned with the film– the actors, producers, storytellers, theatre owners exhibiting the film– should be booked under appropriate sections. I am not talking just about Vijay. Everyone has the right to criticise the government. But the film is inciting violence. That is a grave offence,” he said.
Today, State Minister D Jayalakumar joined the chorus. He said, “Had Vijay came out with such a movie when Jayalalithaa was alive, I would have appreciated his guts. Today, her demise has emboldened the actors to come out with such films. If the movie spoke about Vijay’s principles and philosophies, we would have welcomed the movie.”
However, in a surprising tone, Dhinakaran said, “I will watch the movie and comment on it. As far as calling Jayalalithaa Komalavalli is concerned, I am not sure if it was her original name. Even when a Congress leader called her by that name years ago, she was surprised. Jayalalithaa even told me that it was not her name.”
COMPLAINT
A case has been filed seeking action against actor Vijay for spreading misinformation against the government through Sarkar. Devarajan has filed a petition with the City Police Commissioner office seeking action against the actor under sedition charges.
LAW MINISTER HOLDS DISCUSSIONS
Law Minister C Ve Shanmugham today held discussions with senior legal experts including the Advocate General regarding the Sarkar issue.
In a parallel move, AIADMK cadres staged protests in front of theatres where the movie was screened.