The Madras High Court has stepped into the ongoing controversy surrounding Kingdom, Vijay Deverakonda’s new action-thriller. Members of the Naam Tamilar Party were incensed by the movie, claiming it misrepresented the Tamil Eelam people. Protestors allegedly vandalised theatres and disrupted shows across Tamil Nadu.
The producers, SSI Productions, responded by going to court to ask for police protection for theatres. A viral apology letter added to the confusion, but the producers denied issuing it. Citing the film’s censor board approval, the court has now permitted nonviolent protests but prohibited any blocking of screenings. In the meantime, a phoney letter of apology has spurred a broader discussion about disinformation in the digital era.
Naam Tamilar Party Slams Film for ‘Misrepresentation’
The political heat around the Kingdom intensified after Naam Tamilar Party leader Seeman claimed the film portrayed Tamil Eelam people in a poor light. The party demanded a state-wide blockade of the film and maintained that their protests were non-violent.
Lawyer Shankar, representing the party, dismissed the court case as a mere publicity stunt by the producers. He insisted the group had no role in violence and was exercising democratic dissent.
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Court Upholds Film’s Right to Screen
Justice T. Bharat Chakravarthy made a clear distinction. He stated that any film cleared by the censor board has the right to be screened without interruption. However, he upheld the right to protest peacefully.
If any party feels aggrieved by the content, he said, they must use legal options such as applying to cancel the film’s certificate or organizing a boycott. The court declined to block the film’s release but assured protection for theatres in case of further disruptions.
Viral Apology Letter Denied by Producers
Amid protests, a typed letter claiming to be an apology from the film’s producers went viral. However, SSI Productions quickly denied issuing the letter. They called it fake and misleading.
The letter had attempted to pacify critics by claiming the filmmakers never intended to offend any community. The producers have now flagged it as a case of deliberate disinformation.
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Disinformation Becomes New Flashpoint
The use of digital disinformation to inflame tensions is a troubling new trend that is reflected in the phoney apology letter. False narratives can proliferate rapidly in a time of viral content.
In addition to defending the film’s content, SSI Productions now needs to rectify public perception. The event underlines the importance of more severe control of fraudulent letters and viral content during politically sensitive movie times.
What Is Kingdom About?
Surya, an undercover police officer, is the main character of the film. He breaks into a smuggling enterprise on the little island of Divi, which is on the coast of Sri Lanka. As he learns more, Surya gets more and more involved in the gang’s activities.
Identity, moral conflict, and law enforcement in a grey region are all examined in the plot. Ayyappa P. Sharma, Bhagyashri Borse, Satyadev, and others are among the film’s impressive cast.
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Box Office Performance
Despite strong reviews and audience support, Kingdom has grossed only ₹46.68 crore ($5.3 million) at the Indian box office. This falls short of its reported ₹130 crore ($14.8 million) budget.
Many still hail it as a major comeback for Vijay Deverakonda, citing strong performances and sharp direction.
