The political party Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has requested theatre owners in Cuddalore district to not screen actor Suriya’s films, until he apologises for allegedly showing the Vanniyar community in a poor light in his 2021 film Jai Bhim.
The move comes ahead of the release of Suriya-starrer Etharkkum Thunindhavan, which is set to premiere in theatres on Thursday.
Released in November 2021, Jai Bhim, produced by Suriya’s 2D Entertainment, featured the actor as a lawyer who fights for justice for the Irular tribal community. Based on a real case fought by retired Madras High Court Justice K Chandru, when he was an advocate in the 90s, the film garnered positive responses upon release.
However, the film also drew criticism from certain sections, including the Vanniyar community, whose interests the PMK represents. Members of the community took offence to a scene set at the antagonistic police officer’s house, which showed a calendar with the picture of a fire urn – a symbol with special meaning for the Vanniyar community. PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss also questioned why the bad cop was named Gurumoorthy – a name that allegedly resembles that of “one of the frontline leaders” of the Vanniyar Sangam – while, in the real case, his name was Anthony Samy.
Although the makers of Jai Bhim digitally altered the calendar image, PMK and members of the Vanniyar community were still not satisfied and demanded an apology from the actor, which never came.
In his letter to the theatre owners on Monday, PMK’s Cuddalore Student Wing District Secretary Vijayvarman reiterated their criticism of the film and charged Suriya with attempting to create a rift between Vanniyars and Irulars. He requested theatre owners in the district to not screen the actor’s films until he apologises for the same.
Speaking to Silverscreen India, Vijayvarman said, “We have appealed to theatre owners not to screen any films that Suriya has acted in, including the upcoming film Etharkkum Thunindhavan. He has to openly apologise to the Vanniyar community, failing which the film will not be released in Cuddalore. We have appealed to the theatre owners’ association here, which governs 45-50 theatres.”
Earlier, PMK had prevented the screening of another Suriya-starrer, the 2007 film Vel, in a theatre in Mayiladuthurai, at the peak of the Jai Bhim controversy in November.
Neither Suriya, nor the makers of Etharkkum Thunindhavan, have responded to the recent move by PMK.
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The upcoming film, produced by Sun Pictures and directed by Pandiraj, also stars Priyanka Arul Mohan, Sathyaraj, Vinay Rai, Soori, and Ilavarasu, among others.
Etharkkum Thunindhavan is set to be Suriya’s first film in theatres after nearly two and a half years. His last two films, Jai Bhim and Soorarai Pottru, both premiered directly on Amazon Prime Video.