Suriya thanks fans for 'overwhelming support' after threats over Jai Bhim film

Chennai: Tamil actor Suriya has come out to thank fans and well-wishers for their 'overwhelming support' in the face of a recent controversy over his film 'Jai Bhim' which has run into legal issues after prominent members of the Vanniyar Sangam accused the filmmakers of portraying their community in a bad light.

"Dear all, this love for #Jaibhim is overwhelming. I've never witnessed this before! Can't express in words how thankful I am for the trust & reassurance you all have given us. Heartfelt thanks for standing by us," the actor tweeted on Wednesday.

Security around Suriya's residence has been boosted following a PMK leader's offer of 1 lakh rupees to anyone who could physically assault the actor. S.Palaniswamy, who made the threat, has been arrested following an outcry from the public.

The Vanniyar Sangam and its founder, leader of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss, had accused the filmmakers of deliberately insulting the Vanniyar community. Actor Suriya issued a formal statement last week denying all allegations and stating that the film had attempted to remain true to the characters and incidents it was based on. The Sangam has filed for 5 crores in damages and demanded all references to the community in the film be removed. The filmmakers have already substituted one scene where the Vanniyar's sacred 'agni-kalasam' was shown on a calendar, with another that replaced the symbol with one of a deity. However, Ramadoss pointed out that the name of an abusive policeman in the film was changed from Christian to Vanniyar.

Others named in the notice are actor Jyotika, who is also Suriya's wife, 2D Entertainment Private Limited (Suriya and Jyotika's production house) and a representative of Amazon.in. At a meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K Stalin, Jyothika and Suriya pledged 1 crore to the development of the Irula tribe on whose sufferings the film is based on.