The release of Kingdom, starring Vijay Deverakonda and directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, has run into strong opposition in Tamil Nadu, with several protests erupting over the film’s portrayal of Sri Lankan
Tamils and cultural references. The controversy has grown since the film’s global premiere on July 31, with pro-Tamil groups calling for a ban on the movie. Members of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), a Tamil nationalist party, have accused the film of misrepresenting Tamil identity and hurting religious sentiments.
Kingdom Makers Move Court, Seek Protection for Theatres
To address the unrest, the Madras High Court was approached by the film’s producers to seek protection. During the hearing, the Tamil Nadu state police gave an undertaking that security would be provided to theatres screening Kingdom, if necessary. The petition was filed by the production company, which asked the court to ensure peaceful, uninterrupted screenings and requested that NTK leader Seeman and his followers be restrained from interfering.
Despite the backlash, the makers of Kingdom have not issued any public statement in response to the protests.
Why is Vijay Deverakonda’s Kingdom facing protests?
One of the key objections centres around the film’s antagonist, who is named ‘Murugan’ — a name deeply associated with Lord Murugan, one of Tamil Nadu’s most revered deities. NTK has called this a deliberate and disrespectful choice. In addition, the group has raised concerns over how the film allegedly paints Sri Lankan Tamils in a negative light, especially by casting them in villainous roles.
The backlash has led to NTK staging protests across the state, including outside cinema halls screening Kingdom. Demonstrations have already interrupted showings, raising concerns over the film’s ability to screen safely in Tamil Nadu.
Massive Protests Against Kingdom In Ramanathapuram
Recently, NTK supporters in Ramanathapuram gathered outside a cinema hall to obstruct the film’s screening. Protesters raised slogans and called for an immediate stop to the show. The situation escalated when police intervened to disperse the crowd, leading to a confrontation between law enforcement and demonstrators. A minor scuffle reportedly broke out during the standoff, prompting the deployment of additional forces to restore order. While no injuries have been reported, security remains heightened in the area to prevent further disturbances.
Whether the film’s theatrical run in Tamil Nadu continues smoothly remains to be seen, but for now, the controversy is far from cooling down.
