“Through the movie (Sarakar), schemes of the govt are being criticized vehemently,” said Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami. (PTI photo/File)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami Sunday said it was the common people, and not AIADMK workers, who vandalised the posters of the movie ‘Sarkar’ while protesting against the Tamil film star Vijay’s Diwali release.
“It wasn’t AIADMK. It was a protest by common people. Through the movie, schemes of the govt are being criticized vehemently,” news agency ANI quoted Palaniswami as saying.
He also questioned the source of the funds with which such big-budget films are made. “They spend Rs 300-500cr to make a film, where does this money come from?” he asked.
It wasn’t AIADMK. It was protest by common people. Through the movie, schemes of the govt are being criticized vehemently. They spend Rs 300-500Cr to make a film, where does this money come from?: Tamil Nadu CM on being asked about AIADMK workers vandalised movie ‘Sarkar’ posters pic.twitter.com/3CpdbVm8YV
— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2018
On Thursday, different wings of AIADMK allegedly staged protests against the Tamil film ‘Sarkar’ for its purported reference to former Chief Minister J Jayalalitha and its alleged depiction of some of the government schemes in a negative light. Certain scenes in the film also showed state-provided freebies being thrown in the fire. Members of the ruling party also took objection to the female antagonist being called “Komalavalli”, which was the birth name of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa.
AIADMK workers vandalised posters of #Sarkar movie in Coimbatore, earlier today. They are alleging that certain scenes in the movie criticize the previous Tamil Nadu Govt led by J Jayalalithaa. pic.twitter.com/kzyUUy4pVM
— ANI (@ANI) November 8, 2018
The protesters demanded an immediate ban on the screening of the movie and tore posters and banners as they held demonstrations outside cinema halls at a number of places in Tamil Nadu including Chennai and Coimbatore. The team behind Sarkar on Friday even decided to make some changes to the film. In an application to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the team requested to omit some scenes and dialogues from the movie. Sarkar’s re-edited version was showcased across screens from Friday evening.