The makers of the recently released action film ‘Kingdom’, starring Vijay Deverakonda, have spoken out after facing backlash in Tamil Nadu.
The production house, Sithara Entertainments, has issued a public statement on Wednesday (August 6), clarifying their stand and apologising if the film hurt anyone’s feelings.
The controversy began shortly after the film’s release on July 31. Some viewers, including members of Tamil nationalist groups like Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), alleged that the movie shows Sri Lankan Tamils in a bad light.
They claimed the film portrayed Tamil characters as villains, which they found offensive and disrespectful to Tamil identity and history.
Following the protests, the producers have now come forward to clear the air. In their official note, Sithara Entertainments said, “We want to assure everyone that we respect the sentiments of the Tamil people. There are no scenes in the film that were made to insult or hurt anyone.”
They also reminded audiences that ‘Kingdom’ is a completely made-up story. “It is a fictional tale. This has been clearly stated in the disclaimer at the beginning of the movie,” the producers added.
However, acknowledging the concerns raised by some groups, the makers expressed regret. “If the sentiments of any people have been hurt, we sincerely apologise. We kindly request you to support the movie,” the statement read.
Also Read: Protests erupt over Vijay Deverakonda starrer ‘Kingdom’ in Tamil Nadu
This clarification comes after protests erupted across Tamil Nadu. Members of the Naam Tamilar Katchi have been particularly vocal, asking for action against the film’s release. They argue that portraying Sri Lankan Tamils negatively goes beyond creative freedom and deeply hurts cultural pride.
The party has accused the filmmakers of being insensitive and claimed that the film’s message could damage the public image of Tamils, especially those who have suffered due to decades of civil conflict in Sri Lanka.
Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, ‘Kingdom’ is a high-octane action entertainer. The film features original music by popular composer Anirudh Ravichander and editing by Navin Nooli. The movie is backed by Sithara Entertainments and Fortune 4 Cinemas, and is presented by Srikara Studios.
‘Kingdom’ also boasts a strong technical crew. Neeraja Kona has handled costume design, while the energetic dance numbers have been choreographed by Vijay Binni. The action scenes, which are a major part of the movie, were crafted by a team of three well-known stunt choreographers; Yannick Ben, Chethan D’Souza, and Real Satis.