TN Asks ‘Sarkar’ Director To Undertake That He Will Not Condemn State Policies, If He Wants Anticipatory Bail

The Tamil Nadu government wants an undertaking to be given by Director A R Murugadoss that he will not criticise government policies in his future movies after his highly controversial film Sarkar created a stir with scenes depicting the government’s freebie scheme negatively. The submission was made by Public Prosecutor A Natarajan while opposing the anticipatory bail plea made by the director, reports Times of India.

“He is an experienced director, and he must understand the impact such scenes create among the public. He must give such an undertaking before seeking any relief,” said Natarajan.

The government has been criticised for being intolerant and “poking their noses” in filmmaking by prominent members of the film fraternity in Tamil Nadu.

Justice G K Ilanthiraiyan asked the counsel if the director was willing to give such an undertaking while recording the state’s submission. The court adjourned the plea to 28 November for further hearing as the advocate sought time to get instructions from Murugadoss.

AIADMK cadres went berserk after the release of the film ‘Sarkar’ starring Tamil actor Joseph Vijay. They tore up posters of the movie as there were scenes in the film which not only criticised government policies, but also showed former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa negatively. The director will be arrested for causing public mischief, claimed AIADMK leaders.

Murugadoss moved the High Court on 9 November, seeking anticipatory bail, apprehending arrest by the Chennai police in connection with the issue. The court admitted his plea and as an interim relief, restrained the police from arresting him till 27 November.

The state opposed the plea saying the movie had hurt the AIADMK cadre by attacking the “freebie policies”, especially the scheme of distributing free grinders and mixies launched by former CM Jayalalithaa. The film, in a direct reference to the late CM, also named one of their characters as Komalavalli, which was the early name of 'Amma', leading to a grave law and order situation, said the government.

Murugadoss, in his plea, had said that the public had not raised slogans or rebelled against the movie and that it was only the AIADMK cadres who were doing that.