BJP irks critics for demanding cuts in Tamil movie 'Mersal'

BJP has come under public ire after it demanded cuts in the Tamil Blockbuster 'Mersal'. Members of the BJP have claimed that the film propagates "anti-Modi hatred". It is said that several scenes in the film talk negatively about GST and digital India.

For instance, a character is seen delivering a monologue in which he attacks the government's failure to provide free public welfare, despite the introduction of GST. According to Deccan Chronicle, Mersal has accumulated Rs 22.5 crore on its first day from Tamil Nadu theaters alone.

BJP representative Tamilisai Soundararajan, had on Thursday, demanded that some of the scenes be cut, which was backed by Union Minister of state Pon Radhakrishnan. He said, "The film producer should remove the untruths regarding GST from the film. He has assured me the offending scenes on GST and Digital India will be removed from the film."

Although the lead cast Vijay hasn't come up with any comment pertaining to BJP's demand, superstar Kamal Haasan has reacted in a Tweet saying, "Don’t silence critics. India will shine when it speaks. Mersal was certified. Don’t re-censor it. Counter criticism with logical response."

Mersal was certified. Dont re-censor it . Counter criticism with logical response. Dont silence critics. India will shine when it speaks.

— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) October 20, 2017

Chidambaram's scathing remark leaves BJP red-faced

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram attacked the BJP government by Tweeting sarcastically. He said that there could be laws for making documentaries which praise the government's policies. In his Tweet, he said, "BJP demands deletion of dialogues in 'Mersal'. Imagine the consequences if 'Parasakthi' was released today."

He further added, "Notice to film makers: Law is coming, you can only make documentaries praising government's policies."

Incidentally, Parasakti was a film that was penned by DMK leader Karunanidhi, which had late Shivaji Ganesan in the lead role. 

Meanwhile, after the release of Mersal, BJP is said to have raked up a debate surrounding the lead actor Vijay's religion. For instance, BJP National Secretary H. Raja Tweeted, "Joseph Vijay's hatred for Modi is 'Mersal'." He further said, "Mersal" shows Vijay's ignorance in economic matters as the GST was not a new tax and the tax on liquor is over 58 per cent."

BJP demands deletion of dialogues in 'Mersal'. Imagine the consequences if 'Parasakthi' was released today.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 21, 2017

Notice to film makers: Law is coming, you can only make documentaries praising government's policies.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 21, 2017

• tamil nadu
• south
• bjp
• gst