Sarkar director recalls backlash for Vijay's film: Police tore our banners
AR Murugadoss recalled the protests and police pressure that accompanied Sarkar's release at an event after Vijay became Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. His remarks have renewed attention to the film's political parallels and his long working relationship with Vijay.
Days after Vijay became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, his 2018 film Sarkar has returned to the spotlight, with many pointing to the parallels between the film and his move from cinema to politics. As the political focus around the former actor grows, Sarkar director AR Murugadoss has recalled the backlash that they faced and unrest that surrounded the film's release.
Speaking at the pre-release event of Jai's Sattendru Maarudhu Vaanilai, Murugadoss spoke about the difficult period during the release of Sarkar. He said, "When Sarkar released, many posters were torn [down] by people. It was a difficult time. Police were chasing us. At that time, Babu Vijay [director of Sattendru Maarudhu Vaanilai and assistant to AR Murugadoss] and I would be heading out in safe vehicles. He was driving and I was sitting beside him. We reached Kasi theatre, I saw that police were tearing our banners."
Murugadoss also spoke about Babu Vijay's support during that period. He said, "I cried buckets that day. Even in those tension-filled times, Babu Vijay helped me a lot. Almost 12 people who worked with me have become directors. It makes me very happy to see Babu Vijay's growth."
Sarkar, directed by Murugadoss, was released in a tense political climate marked by protests and controversy. In the film, Vijay plays a powerful corporate figure who returns to Tamil Nadu from the United States to cast his vote in the Assembly elections, only to find that his vote has already been used fraudulently.
The discovery pushes him into a campaign against electoral malpractice, and he eventually enters politics as an independent candidate while facing threats to his life and attempts to discredit him.
Murugadoss and Vijay first worked together on Thuppakki in 2012 and then on Kaththi in 2014. Both films were box-office blockbusters, and Sarkar was their third collaboration. Murugadoss has also recently joined hands with Excel Entertainment to produce an action entertainer starring Sunny Deol, with Jyotika in a prominent role. The film is currently in production.
With Vijay's rise in politics bringing Sarkar back into public discussion, Murugadoss' remarks have once again drawn attention to the hostility that marked the film's release and to the working relationship the director shared with Vijay through their three films.