The actor responded to criticism from PMK youth leader Anbumani Ramadoss that his film ‘Jai Bheem’ had insulted the Vaniyars.
Actor Suriya Shivakumar responded to criticism by PMK youth leader Anbumani Ramadoss that the actor’s recent OTT release Jai Bheem Vanniyar, saying that he and the film crew had no intention of insulting any community. In fact, changes were made to the film soon after some such instances had surfaced.
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Mr. Surya said, “I am doing everything possible to improve the lives of fellow human beings. I have got the support and love of people from all sections of the society all over India. I have no need or intention to campaign by insulting anyone.”
In a statement, Mr Surya said that he accepted that while freedom of expression should not be used to insult any particular community, the right to freedom of expression should also be protected from any attack against it.
“The film is not a documentary and it begins with a disclaimer that the story is fictional based on a real incident. It also states that the incidents, and the names do not refer to any person or any event in particular,” he said, adding that “those who don’t really care about the weak, use their power against them.” will do. In this context, caste, religion, language and race do not matter. There is evidence all over the world to prove it.”
Mr Surya said a similar criticism made by Dr Anbumani that a police officer’s character was named ‘Gurumurthy’ was a reference to late PMK leader J. Guru was meant to indicate, others also claimed, that the character is named after another personality. ,
“If it is to be believed that the name of the antagonist refers to something or the other in every case, there is no end to it. The voice of protest against injustice should not be diluted by turning it into a politics of ‘names’.
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