Sunday Times 2
Heckler’s veto: On Vijay Sethupathi’s withdrawal from Murali biopic ’800′
The film’s motion poster released recently had evoked great expectation among cinema aficionados, especially because of the actor’s highly convincing resemblance to Murali
Reproduced below is Wednesday’s editorial comment of the Chennai-based The Hindu newspaper after award-winning actor Vijay Sethupathi’s withdrew from a biopic on Sri Lanka’s world-record holding spinner Muttiah Muralitharan following pressure from Tamil nationalist forces:
Opposition from sections of Tamils has led to versatile Tamil film star Vijay Sethupathi withdrawing from a planned biopic on the Sri Lankan bowling legend, Muttiah Muralitharan. Opponents mainly from the Tamil film industry and political parties in Tamil Nadu claim that Muralitharan had “whitewashed genocide” by not raising his voice against the Sri Lankan state, and warned the actor against playing his character, contending that he would only jeopardise his career and alienate his fan following.
It is a shame that these protests have prevented a talented actor from essaying a role based on the story of Muralitharan, who scaled Himalayan peaks in international cricket through talent and determination. Noting the unfair and unrelenting attacks on Sethupathi to the point of accusing him of being a traitor, Muralitharan appealed to the actor to keep out of the biopic. The ultimate decision may have been Muralitharan’s own, but it is quite clear that Sethupathi dropped the idea only after the onslaught.
The film’s motion poster released recently had evoked great expectation among cinema aficionados, especially because of the actor’s highly convincing resemblance to the cricketer. Appropriately named ‘800’, in celebration of the number of Test wickets the bewitching off-spinner bagged, the biopic appears to aim at showcasing his rise in the backdrop of the violent ethnic conflict that shook Sri Lanka for three decades.
Exponents of art being cowed down by protests is not new to Tamil Nadu. The real problem in the latest example of popular intolerance prevailing over artistic ventures is that an old chestnut in Tamil Nadu politics — the idea that every Tamil should pass a ‘Tamil nationalist’ test — has been resurrected to stymie this project too. Madras Cafe, a Hindi film, could not be screened in the State after opposition to its portrayal of the LTTE. In 2008, a Sri Lankan producer was forced to give up his footage while he was in Chennai to process his film at a studio.
Some of those who demanded that Sethupathi withdraw from the biopic have emphasised that they were merely making an appeal to him, given his past political views in favour of causes that resonate with the people of Tamil Nadu. Whether it was an appeal or a threat, it is a no-brainer that pressure was brought to bear on an artist to give up his professional decision.
As for Muralitharan’s political views, it may be that some of his remarks were seen as supporting the Sri Lankan Army’s triumph over the LTTE and questioning the truth behind the grief of the mothers of the disappeared thousands. However, that is no reason to run down his monumental achievements in his chosen sport. And nothing prevents any detractor from questioning the film’s motive or content after its release. It is unfortunate that the heckler’s veto has prevailed.
| Man booked for issuing rape threat to actor Vijay Sethupathi’s daughter CHENNAI: The Cyber Crime Wing of city police has booked a Twitter user for issuing rape threat to actor Vijay Sethupathi’s daughter over cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan biopic controversy. The threat post was issued from Twitter handle @itsrithikrajh along with a picture of the father-daughter duo. Subsequently, several associations and anonymous users lodged online complaints with the Cyber Crime Wing. “There has been a lot of concern in social media regarding messages posted against the actor,” tweeted city police commissioner Mahesh Kumar Aggarwal. Vijay Sethupathi’s assistant also lodged a complaint at the Chennai police commissionerate, and a case was registered. The suspect, Rithik Raj, has been booked under sections 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot, enmity), 294(b) (using obscene language) of the Indian Penal Code and section 67(b) of Information Technology Act (punishment for publishing of material depicting children in sexually explicit act, in electronic form). Subsequently, the Twitter user deleted his account, police said. Vijay Sethupathi has been facing the wrath on social media after a motion poster of his upcoming movie ‘800’ was launched. He was all set to essay the role of Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in the movie. The actor’s fans were upset over him taking up the role of the Tamil-origin cricketer who never spoke out against the alleged atrocities that the Sri Lankan government brought upon the Eelam Tamils. Following Muralitharan’s request, Sethupati withdrew from the project on Monday. Courtesy The New Indian Express | |