Kingdom controversy: Madras High Court intervenes as protests against Vijay Deverakonda’s film intensify, makers say viral apology letter is fake

Kingdom controversy: Madras High Court intervenes as protests against Vijay Deverakonda’s film intensify, makers say viral apology letter is fake

The release of Vijay Deverakonda’s latest film Kingdom has sparked a major controversy in Tamil Nadu, drawing political heat and legal intervention. The Naam Tamilar Party, led by coordinator Seeman, has accused the film of misrepresenting the Tamil Eelam community. This allegation has led to widespread protests, including a statewide theater blockade, which has resulted in vandalism and disruptions across multiple cinema halls.

In response to the unrest, Tamil Nadu distributor SSI Productions filed a petition in the Madras High Court seeking police protection for theaters screening Kingdom. The matter was heard by Justice T. Bharat Chakravarthy, who was informed by the police that they had not yet received the petition and needed more time to respond. The case was subsequently adjourned to the next day.

Naam Tamilar Party’s legal counsel, Shankar, claimed that the film portrayed Tamil Eelam in a negative light and dismissed the distributor’s petition as a publicity stunt. He insisted that the protests were peaceful and did not pose a threat to public order. However, the judge emphasized that any film approved by the censor board cannot be arbitrarily blocked. He stated that while democratic protests are constitutionally protected, they must remain non-violent. He further clarified that objections to a film’s content should be pursued through legal channels such as petitioning for cancellation of the censor certificate or calling for a public boycott.

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Amid the uproar, a letter claiming to be an apology from Kingdom’s production house, Sithara Entertainments, went viral on social media. This fueled further speculation, suggesting that the filmmakers had admitted guilt. However, a spokesperson from the production house promptly debunked the letter, confirming to Hindustan Times that it was entirely fabricated. "It’s fake," the representative said, clarifying that no apology had been issued.

The court has asked both the Naam Tamilar Party and the police department to submit official responses. As the issue intensifies, the hearing has been adjourned, and all eyes remain on how the legal process will unfold.