Bowing to pressure from angered Muslim groups across the State, the filmmakers of Vijay-starrer Thuppaki have decided to remove the objectionable portions.
Director A.R. Murugadoss and producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu offered a public apology to the members of the community on Thursday and promised to delete certain scenes.
Addressing a joint press conference with 10 representatives from the Federation of Muslim Organisations and Political Parties, comprising 24 Muslim organisations, Murugadoss said, “Thupakki, which released on Deepavali, is running successfully. However, we got to know from representatives of some organisations that some scenes in the movie hurt the sentiments of Muslims. I wish to assure all that we had no intention of hurting their sentiments. I believe strongly in the fact that they are our brothers. We have agreed to delete scenes to which they raised objections.”
This came after a closed door meeting between the filmmakers and representatives of the Muslims groups that lasted over three hours.
The director did not specify the number of scenes that would be deleted from the film as discussions regarding this were still on. The cuts would be implemented in a day or two, a source said.
Veteran producer and director S.A. Chandrashekaran, father of actor Vijay, said, “We did not intend to hurt the sentiments of Muslims. I want Vijay to be in the hearts of all mothers. My son and I respect all religions. At this juncture, I wish to state that Vijay will play a Muslim in his next film.”
Mohammad Haneefa, co-ordinator of Federation of Muslim Organisations and Political Parties, while accepting the apology of the filmmakers said, “The representatives of 24 organisations expressed their pain over the film on Thursday at a meeting. We brought our displeasure to the attention of filmmakers who have apologised and promised to delete the objectionable scenes. Certain scenes will be cut immediately while others will be removed a little later. We request filmmakers to not make movies that showcase Muslims in negative light in the future. We also request actors to not act in such movies.”
Keywords: Thuppaki, actor Vijay, S.A. Chandrashekaran, Director A.R. Murugadoss, producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu, Muslim communities
freedom of speech does not mean right to offend others or religion.
I thought India was still a country where freedom of expression was a
given. All due respect to the Islam community, I don't think their
expressing concern and protesting over small issues such as a movie is
doing anything better for their image. I agree that movies like
Innocence of Muslims should be banned but, I don't think that they
reserve the right to protest against every other movie being made. This
is only going to increase the religious divide.
Sounds like there is no meaning of sensor board. One has to take opinions of all groups before making and releasing a movie.
Why government is not acting against these groups who demand their agenda in a film taken by somebody which is perfectly certified by relevant authorities and board ? - Simply because government wants all votes.
I am not a Vijay fan or against any religion, but just that this doesn't make sense. These incidents will happen only in India.
Many films hurt the Hindu sentiments as well. Especially Brahmins are taken for granted in such (tamil) films. Film makers should be neutral or supporting without hurting others by their religion/caste. Vijay's next film statement by Mr.Chandrasekhar is irrelevant. If vijay's next films hurt other religions, then he will act as a character in their religion also.
Hafsoff to the Director & Vijay for accepting Request.. that shows the quality of a Real Humanbeing...by accepting the requet is not by any mean of hurting the sentiments of Majority or making them jealous on this issue...It will surely close the mouth extrimist group Hindutva/or any Terrorist group..............
Mr. Chandrasekar's political ambitions for his son are clear. He is
already keeping one eye on the minority. Nothing wrong in vijay trying
his hand in politics, but what it looks like his dad is forcing him into
this.
The first thing the artist should keep in mind that freedom of
expression is limited affair but it evolves and the process of evolution
is synchronous with advancement of society.In the country like India
where faith is such critical matter for a load of population a simple
offence by means of art to their religious views can hurt the sentiments
so judgement should come from artist while performing an art or making a
cinema specific that if society is ready to accept the view he is
having.
Well..How about hundreds of films that hurt Hindu sentiments ?
why are only Hindu Swamis always shown as hypocrites and jokers in Indian films, particularly Tamil films ?
Why are Hindu sentiments taken for granted?
Mr.Chandrasekar.Oh Give me break.Don't be like politicians and make your
son act as a muslim in the next film.You shouldn't have allowed him to
act in certain portions of this film.Film is supposed to be giving
certain message to the public or be a stress relief( comedy oriented)
rather than leading them to a wrong direction. Also it should not be
targetting a specific religion or division of the people :(.Film makers
nowadays do anything to make it more commercialised.
Do not take me wrong. I do respect all religion and beliefs & strongly believe in no intrusion into anybody's personal space. However, I would be curious if such a protest or compliant is furnished by Hindu people or sect of Hinduism, will the director or lead actor or lead actor's father would come and openly acknowledge. Why such partiality to particular religion? Wake up people.
Please Do not cut any scenes, because each and every scenes engaging. There are no scenes to hurt anybody.its our request.
Is this not Talibanism forcing artists to edit their work of art? where
is the enraged comments and articles from the left liberals of our
country? If this was done by a Hindtva outfit will such commentators
keep quiet? Will Hindu even bother to publish this comment? I seriously
doubt it!!
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