CHENNAI: The Chennai police’s cybercrime wing booked a man on Tuesday for threatening actor Vijay Sethupathi’s family over his role in “800”, the biopic on former Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan. The suspect is yet to be traced.
The actor has already withdrawn from the film following Muralitharan’s request. After Rithik Raj’s threat on Twitter handle @itsrithikrajh, DMK Lok Sabha member Kanimozhi termed it “barbaric” and “extremely dangerous” and several others demanded action against the suspect, who deleted his Twitter account.
“We have approached Twitter to give us details of the man to track him with the help of his URL and internet protocol (IP) address. We have also approached a few central government agencies to support us in tracing the suspect,” said an investigation officer.
Vijay Sethupathi had been facing flak for agreeing to portray a former cricketer who remained allegedly silent on the “atrocities” of the Sri Lankan government against Tamils. The hashtag #ShameOnVijaySethupati had been trending over the past week, but the latest threat on Twitter has sparked outrage.
“The perverse intimidation … is not only barbaric but extremely dangerous to the very fabric of our society … Police should take stern action against the perpetrator,” tweeted Kanimozhi.