Shooting of Karthi’s upcoming film with Dream Warrior Pictures’ Sultan was stalled in Malakottai in Dindugal when members of Hindu Munnani, Hindu Makkal Katchi, and Shiv Sena created a stir. They not only assumed that the film was about Tipu Sultan and so it shouldn’t be shot in a Hindu temple, but also landed up outside the shooting location, causing a commotion. The issue was resolved only when the police showed up.
Today, Dream Warriors has released a statement in which it clarified that the movie was not about Tipu Sultan. It also asked, while there is a CBFC already in place, who gave these protestors the right to clampdown on the makers’ freedom of expression, that was safeguarded by the constitution?
“We were shooting for the last few days at Malaikottai after taking prior permission. September 24 was actually the final day of the shoot and our cast and crew were almost wrapping up the shoot when, all of a sudden, the people who are supposed to be from Hindu Munnani started protesting. It was not clear about what they were creating such a commotion,” SR Prabhu of Dream Warriors told Deccan Chronicle.
Sultan is being directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan (Remo). The film is currently being shot across Chennai, Dindigul and surrounding regions. “Of late, for their own publicity, individuals and some organisations have begun to attack movies. We have the censors to decide what a film must show and not show. Apart from this, it is entirely up to the filmmaker to choose what he wants to showcase. This is a right that our country gives us. We strongly condemn any organisation or individual attacking the freedom of creative artistes. Further, we very strongly condemn the act of painting historical figures with religious and casteist colours, insulting both their lives and our history,” the statement from Dream Warriors said.
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A press statement from the team earlier said that the film is a comedy, action entertainer. Grand set work for the film was erected in Chennai in March. Details about the story have been kept under wraps. The film also stars Yogi Babu and Mansoor Ali Khan in important roles. It has music by Vivek-Mervin, the composer duo who are also working on Pattas and Sanga Thamizhan.
Actor Karthi, meanwhile, has Kaithi directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, which will see a Diwali release in October.