It has happened again. Actor Vijay’s Sarkar, which was certified by the Central Board of Film Certification, has been forced to undergo fresh cuts by ministers and ruling AIADMK cadre, alleging “insult” to their late leader Jayalalithaa and the government.

Though it is not uncommon for movies to be “ambushed” by fringe groups, what has taken certain political leaders and the film industry by surprise is the response of the ruling party whose cadre took the law into their hands, forcing some theatres to suspend shows of Sarkar for two days.

The controversy brought leading stars of Tamil cinema, including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, and political party leaders, the DMK being a notable exception, on the same side, to strongly condemn the pressure tactics of the government. While the film has triggered debate on the efficacy and role of freebies in a democracy, political parties feel that the violent response of the ruling party forces everyone else to defend the film.

‘External censor board’

“Political criticism in a film is not wrong. A film says populist schemes are not right and that’s its opinion. Political parties have a right to respond saying that it is wrong to speak against it. However, a government cannot condone attacks on theatres and work as an external censor board,” said D. Ravi Kumar, general secretary, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi.

He further said that the film-maker must avoid provoking political parties to react. “When the film-maker names a character Komalavalli, there arises a doubt whether it was done with an eye on the opposition that the film is likely to attract after the release,” said Mr. Kumar. “The film faced criticism for its content against welfare schemes after the first day but now everyone is forced to defend Vijay and A.R. Murugadoss against the ruling party,” he added.

Agreeing that AIADMK cadres taking matters into their hands was wrong, Tamilaga Valvurimai Katchi leader T. Velmurugan, however, dismissed the notion that a film that has been certified by CBFC should not be opposed. “Are those in the CBFC beyond any criticism and non-corrupt? People have a right to question everything,” he said.

“The ruling party should not indulge in violence. Cinema has always had this opposition to the ruling establishment,” he added.