Jai Bhim: Madras HC quashes FIR granting Suriya, Gnanavel relief
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Image: Instagram/@actorsuriya
Chennai: The Madras High Court on Thursday quashed the First Information Report (FIR) filed against actor Suriya and director Gnanavel on the team's movie 'Jai Bhim'. The FIR had alleged that the movie hurt the Vanniyar Community sentiments, portraying it in an objectionable way, The News Minute (TNM) reported.
It was in December 2021 that Rudra Vanniyar Sena, represented by the advocate K Santhosh, moved the Saidapet court demanding a direction to the police to file FIR against the actor and director. According to the petitioner that the movie makers had an underlying motive "to instigate communal violence between communities" and spark "Vanniyar phobia", TNM quotes.
The court had accepted the argument and directed Chennai police to file an FIR also naming Jyotika, Surya's wife, along with him and Gnanavel. The FIR had mentioned that in a calendar featured in the movie, an Agni Kundam- the symbol of Vanniyar Sangam- was shown. A sub-inspector who tortured a victim in custody was named Gurumurthy, which according to the FIR, is a popular leader of the community.
After the FIR was registered against the trio at Velachery police station, Suriya and Gnanavel jointly filed a petition before the Madras HC pleading to quash the same.
Jai Bhim, which themed custodial death, was acclaimed widely by critics. It incited a row after Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) 's Anbumani Ramadoss alleged that the film was "a planned attack on the Vanniyar community," TNM quotes. Ramadoss also criticised how the brutal sub-inspector was portrayed, adding that it was an insult to the Vanniyar community.
In November, Suriya released a statement explaining that the basic concept of the film was based on the case fought by retired Justice Chandru and discussed the struggles of indigenous people.
"Neither my team nor I have ever harboured any intention at any point in time to insult any individual or community as mentioned by you in your letter. I hope you are aware that corrections were carried out as soon as some people pointed out mistakes," the actor's statement read.