In the last few years, members of the the Tamil film industry, including popular actors Kamal Haasan ( Vishwaroopam ), Vijay ( Thalaivaa and Kaththi ) and Karthi ( Komban ), have had several run-ins with the political establishment who have sought ‘cuts’ or outright bans stating that certain communities could be hurt.
Perhaps, for the first time in recent history, Lyca Productions, which is producing actor Rajinikanth's next venture, 2.0 , at a whopping cost of ₹400 crore, has slapped a ₹10-crore defamation suit against Tamilaga Vaazhvurimai Katchi leader, T. Velmurugan. The suit has to do with a television show debate on actor Rajinikanth visiting northern Sri Lanka during which Mr. Velmurugan allegedly made malafide statements, claiming that Lyca Productions chairman Subaskaran Allirajah had links with the former President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa.
P. Wilson, Lyca’s senior counsel, said that they were hopeful of obtaining an injunction prohibiting Mr. Velmurugan from speaking about Mr. Allirajah and levelling allegations about links with Mr. Rajapaksa.
While TVK leader Velmurugan made it clear that he will not oppose the release of 2.0 , he nevertheless stuck to his guns.
“Lyca was the Gold sponsor of the Commonwealth Conference. Its chairman Subaskaran Allirajah has himself said before that he is a businessman and has links with politicians in Sri Lanka. After Rajinikanth cancelled his visit, even Namal Rajapaksa, son of Mahinda Rajapaksa, tweeted in support of Lyca. There is enough evidence and I will present it in court,” he said.
Go-to strategy?
Despite such a significant move, both political outfits and those in the film industry feel that this cannot be a go-to strategy. Producer G. Dhananjayan said that while this could have been a simple decision for the producers, there are other instances in which a legal recourse may not work.
“When someone damages the production house’s reputation, filing such a suit is welcome move. However, when political parties oppose certain movies because a particular caste, religion or community is being insulted, then it needs to be handled properly,” he said.
Tamil Film Producers’ Council treasurer and co-founder of Dream Warrior Pictures, S.R. Prabhu also said this was an issue between the company and the individual in question. “Broadly speaking, political issues have to be dealt with on a film-by-film basis, but we are getting all the stakeholders together to address other instances where a film’s release is held up for financial reasons,” he said.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi’s General Secretary D. Ravikumar said that a company can be opposed if they are deliberately indulging in misinformation or causing disturbance through their films. “There could be merit in it. But, with the Centre embracing FDI, there will be companies with links to questionable political leaders or regimes. On what basis do we choose which ones to oppose and which ones to let go?” he asked.
The Pattali Makkal Katchi has been at the forefront of advocating health warnings during ‘smoking and drinking’ scenes. PMK spokesperson advocate K. Balu said the aggrieved company has every reason to file for damages. “What is most important is the intention behind the allegation. It is wrong to speak without verifying facts. However, it is also not right to say that political parties shouldn’t have an opinion at all,” he said.
