Mersal’s Telugu version is yet to get certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). According to sources, the makers have been asked to delete scenes critical of the central government’s GST initiative. Once this is done, a censor certificate will be given. Due to this, the film has not yet released in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Hindu Makkal Katchi’s Arjun Sampath, meanwhile, has announced an indefinite protest against the film. Alleging that the film propagates wrong ideas, Sampath told Silverscreen:
“I strongly condemn the director of the film, Atlee, and Vijay for participating in a film like this. The film seeks to instill in the Tamil youth a wrong impression about our country and the recent developments. This is harmful to our society and democracy at large. We want those scenes removed, else we will protest in front of all theatres screening Mersal.”
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Sampath said that it was his right to protest any film. “But, that doesn’t mean that I will do so with the intention to cause harm like the makers of Mersal. Our protests will be peaceful.”
Mersal, starring Vijay in triple roles, is on its way to earning Rs 2oo crores at the box office. While the film itself has largely earned mixed reviews, the spate of controversies has ensured that it has enjoyed a lot of support from the masses.