Some Hindutva groups in Tamil Nadu have disrupted filming of action-comedy Sulthan, because they assumed it was a biopic on Tipu Sultan. The film is directed by Bakkiyaraj Kannan and stars Karthi and Rashmika Mandanna.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the film was being shot near an Archaeological Survey of India-protected site when some members of the Hindu Munnani and BJP arrived at the location and began staging some protests. Assuming that actor Karthi was essaying the role of the erstwhile ruler of Mysore who Hindu groups have tried to project as a Muslim bigot, they raised slogans against him too.
“Some local cadres of Hindu Munnani and BJP staged a protest near the location where the film was being shot. They believed a news report stating that the film’s name was not Sulthan but Tipu Sultan. As the mob refused to leave the area even after they were briefed about the original story, the film crew were forced to vacate the place, leaving behind all valuable equipment,” a police officer told The Indian Express.
The producer, S R Prabhu’s Dream Warrior Pictures, issued a statement clearing all doubts. “Of late, there have been a number of incidents where smaller outfits have been targeting the movie industry. Any decision about what to be shown within the censor board norms goes to the filmmaker…. We strongly condemn those groups who pose hindrance to the making of movies,” the statement read.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)