'Story Is Entirely Fictional': Vijay Deverakonda's Kingdom Makers APOLOGISE To Eelam Tamils For After Protests, Ban Calls In Tamil Nadu

After protests erupted across Tamil Nadu, demanding a ban on Vijay Deverakonda's latest film, Kingdom, the makers have issued an official statement, apologising to the Eelam Tamil population. The Eelam Tamils (Sri Lankan Tamils) were protesting in the state after accusing the makers of showing their community in a negative light.

Producers Sithara Entertainments issued an official statement which read, "We have heard that certain scenes in the film have hurt the sentiments of the Tamil people. We hold the sentiments of the Tamil people in the highest regard. We would like to clarify that the story is entirely fictional, as clearly mentioned in the disclaimer portion of the film."

"Even so, if any sentiments have been hurt in any manner, we sincerely regret it. We kindly request you to continue supporting the film ‘Kingdom’," the statement further read.

What is the Kingdom controversy?

Kingdom released in theatres on July 31, and soon after watching it, protests erupted in Tamil Nadu, calling it disrespectful towards the Sri Lankan Tamil community. Members of the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) took to streets and protested across Tamil Nadu to show their dissent.

Not just that, but they also tore down posters and were seen blocking the entry points of cinema halls, to discourage locals from watching the film. They demanded that the film be banned in the state.

Some of those protesting also objected to the antagonist being named after Tamil deity Lord Murugan.

As the situation escalated, local police had to intervene and disperse the crowd in multiple locations across the state.

About Kingdom

Kingdom, starring Vijay as the protagonist and Satyadev as the antagonist, is set in 1990's Sri Lanka. In the film, Vijay's character, who is an undercover cop, is on his personal mission to find his brother (Satyadev) in Sri Lanka. It has been directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri.

The film kicked off with Rs 18 crore at the box office on its first day, but it soon fell flat, and after six days, it has managed to make Rs 44.40 crore.