‘Sarkar’ Issue: CBFC Makes Further Cuts, Fans Make Further Noise

Things haven’t settled down in the Sarkar universe yet. The film was the target of protests by the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) cadres over some allegedly defamatory scenes involving late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who was also the party’s supremo. Some members of the party also objected to scenes in the film showing citizens dumping the “freebies” given by the government.

Meanwhile, rumours that director AR Murugadoss may be arrested prompted him to apply for anticipatory bail at the Madras High Court. The High Court agreed with him and issued orders that he may not be arrested till November 27.

As protests intensified, some theatre owners and distributors, on their own initiative, said they will not show parts of the film that were found to cause offense. The police meanwhile made multiple arrests of fans of actor Vijay, for putting up banners and posters of the film without permission.

Amidst all this, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has made further cuts in the film – to the scene involving the burning of freebies, and muting of the name Komalavalli, alleged to be Jayalalithaa’s name at birth.

Following the CBFC notification, Sun Pictures, which produced and released Sarkar, issued a statement clarifying the reason for the cuts. They said that the protests by cadres of the ruling party had caused damage and destruction to theatres showing Sarkar, and had put the lives of viewers at risk. And so, with a view to prevent further damage to property and to protect the lives of film goers, the producers had agreed to the removal of one or two scenes from the film.

However, fans of Vijay went on an offensive. Social media was filled yesterday with videos of Vijay and Sarkar fans across Tamil Nadu destroying laptops, mixers, grinders, and other appliances they received as freebies from political parties.

Also read: Silverscreen Review of Sarkar, and the A to Z of Vijay’s Political Thriller