Vijay-starrer Sarkar may not have got great reviews, but the movie has stoked a huge controversy, with the ruling AIADMK cadre launching protests across the State.
A day after Ministers objected to certain scenes on freebies, the cadre took over the protests against the movie, this time over the name of the female villain and demanding removal of scenes against freebies distributed by the government.
Protests erupted in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore and screenings at some places — the matinee show at a theatre in Madurai, and evening show at a theatre in Tirunelveli district — were cancelled.
AIADMK cadre, led by MLA Virugai Ravi, gathered in large numbers before Kasi Theatre in Jafferkhanpet and tore the banners of actor Vijay. Similar protests by AIADMK cadre erupted in front of Albert Theatre in Egmore, Devi Complex on Anna Salai and Woodlands Theatre in Royapettah. Tension prevailed as the cadre of AIADMK and fans of actor Vijay gathered at the same spot. The police got the situation under control, but the traffic went out of gear, as the AIADMK cadre squatted in protest outside the theatre premises on Anna Salai and in Royapettah.
The police said the AIADMK cadre also went on the rampage and smashed advertising boards and tore up banners at the National Theatre in Tambaram and Vetri Cinema in Chromepet around 6 p.m. No arrests were made as no complaint was lodged.
Night shows go on
The police pacified the agitators. The evening and night shows went ahead with additional police security.
In Madurai, the matinee show of the movie at a popular theatre was cancelled on Thursday following a protest by the AIADMK cadre, led by Madurai North MLA V.V. Rajan Chellappa.
Ruling party cadre in Coimbatore tore up flex banners outside a theatre near the Collectorate, seeking removal of portions in the movie that allegedly mocked welfare schemes of the party.