The Controversial Debuts of 'Sarkar': A Deep Dive into the Cast and the AIADMK's Stance

Introduction

The debut of 'Sarkar', a film directed by A.R. Murugadoss and starring Vijay, in 2018 marked a significant point of conflict. The controversy is rooted in its political themes and portrayal of the AIADMK, the ruling party in Tamil Nadu. This article explores the key aspects of the controversy and its impact on the film industry.

Key Controversies Surrounding the Film

The 2018 release of 'Sarkar' sparked a series of controversies that reverberated through the film industry and political arena of Tamil Nadu. The film's narrative and political undertones became a focal point of debate, highlighting the complex relationship between cinema and politics.

Political Content and Commentary

Electoral Fraud and Corruption:

Sarkar deals with sensitive issues such as electoral fraud and corruption, which many interpreted as a critique of the AIADMK government. The film's storyline included elements that resonated with the political discontent prevalent in Tamil Nadu. By addressing these societal issues, the filmmakers aimed to spark conversations that might otherwise have been avoided.

This portrayal strained the relationship between the film and the AIADMK party. Party leaders and members took offense to the film's depiction of political figures and the suggestion of electoral malpractice. They felt that the film was derogatory towards the party and its leaders, asserting that the film's content could negatively influence public opinion.

Protests and Calls for Censorship

The controversy around 'Sarkar' intensified with protests from AIADMK supporters. These protests led to calls for a ban on the film in certain areas. The tension between the filmmakers and the political parties highlighted broader concerns about censorship and artistic freedom in cinema. The filmmakers defended their work, asserting that it was a fictional narrative and not intended to attack any political party specifically.

Credits and Compensation Dispute

Even before the release, the film's storyline was subject to scrutiny. It was alleged that the story was the work of Varun Rajendran, a writer and assistant director. After a trial, it was decided that credits would be given to Varun by displaying his name at the beginning of the film. He was paid 30 lakhs as compensation, resolving a significant part of the controversy around the rightful ownership of the plot.

Specific Controversial Scenes

The AIADMK's leaders argued that the movie's portrayal of Ms. Jayalalitha, the ex-CM of Tamil Nadu, was incorrect. Ms. Jayalalitha had introduced a plan of free distribution of goods like televisions, grinders, table fans, dhothis, and sarees to attract people to the ADMK. However, in the movie, there is a scene where the protagonist criticizes this scheme, claiming that people are polluted by the freebies and that the government should stop giving such things.

As a result, four cuts were made in the film, removing scenes related to the freebies. Additionally, the word 'Komala' in the name Komalavalli, which refers to the original name of Ms. Jayalalitha, was muted to resolve the issue. These changes were implemented to address the concerns raised by the AIADMK.

Producers and Political Alliance

The film 'Sarkar' was produced by Sun Pictures, owned by Mr. Kalanithi Maran, a close relative of Kalaignar Karunanithi, the recently deceased ex-CM and DMK leader. DMK and AIADMK have been rival political parties in Tamil Nadu. This added another layer of complexity to the controversy, as it involved not just the film itself but also the political affiliations of its producers.

Interesting References

References to Real-life Figures:

Vijay as Sundar Ramaswamy: The character Vijay portrays, Sundar Ramaswamy, is CEO of a top global tech company GL. This can be seen as a reference to Sundar Pitchai, the CEO of Google. Sargunam and Sagayam: At the end of the film, an honest collector Sargunam is nominated by Vijay as a CM candidate. This directly refers to Sagayam, an honest IAS officer in Tamil Nadu.

These allusions added to the controversy as they highlighted specific socio-political issues and personalities that were sensitive to the audiences.

Conclusion

The controversies surrounding 'Sarkar' reflect the ongoing tensions between cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu. It underscores the role of filmmakers in addressing societal issues while navigating the complex political landscape. The film's debut and its aftermath continue to be a topic of discussion, illustrating the delicate balance between artistic freedom and political sensitivity.