AR Murugadoss has been granted anticipatory bail by the Madras HC. The director, whose recently released Sarkar has been the target of protests by the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) over some allegedly defamatory scenes of late Chief Minister J Jayalalitha, approached the court earlier today as he fears an imminent police arrest.
The court, while reviewing Murugadoss’ case, has reportedly said that he cannot be arrested till November 27.
A complaint has been lodged against him by Devarajan who says that Sarkar contains scenes that are anti-government and defamatory in nature. The Chennai Police maintain that an arrest is not in their agenda and that their visit to AR Murugadoss’ Chennai residence was motivated by their intent to provide protection. However, an insider at Sun Pictures tells us that the situation could very well escalate and lead to an arrest of the director.
The producer of the film, Sun Pictures, has said that controversial scenes from the film have been removed.
A spokesperson for the director and Sun Pictures has refused to comment.
Interestingly, actor Vijay, the lead actor of Sarkar, has reportedly sought a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy (who belongs to AIADMK) at his Chennai residence.
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Meanwhile, the protests against Sarkar continue unabated. Shows of the film have been cancelled across TN, in view of the rising agitation against the movie by supporters of AIADMK. Banners of the film have been torn down and a few theatres in Chennai were targeted yesterday, according to reports.
The scene considered to be offensive shows people in Tamil Nadu burning state sponsored freebies given to them. The negative role essayed by Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, who is named Komalavalli in the film. Many say this is the birth name of late CM Jayalalithaa. While those closest to Jayalalithaa maintain that this information is false, it has done little to abate the crisis.