Sarkar film row: Madras court restrains Tamil Nadu Police from arresting AR Murugadoss

Murugadoss' film 'Sarkar' starring Vijay in the lead role, has got embroiled in a raging controversy over reported references to late former Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa.

Photo courtesy: IANS

New Delhi: The Madras High Court on Friday passed an interim order not to arrest 'Sarkar' director AR Murugadoss untill November 27. 

Murugadoss' film 'Sarkar' starring Vijay in the lead role, has got embroiled in a raging controversy after Tamil Nadu political party AIADMK alleged that some of the scene in the film had reported references to late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

After the party members staged protests in various parts of Tamil Nadu, the makers gave in to the political pressure and removed all controversial references from the film.

Earlier in the day, director AR Murugadoss moved the Madras High Court seeking an anticipatory bail against his arrest with alleged offences uder Sections 124A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code, following the huge controversy. In the petition, he has stated that his intentions were never to hurt anyone. The peition was heard by the court this afternoon.

On Thursday night, Sun Pictures, the producers of the film, tweeted that the Chennai Police was on its way to arrest Murugadoss. However, police officials denied the claims and said that the police team, who were posted at their area, was on their regular beat movement. 

Later, the director himself took to Twitter to confirm the same as he wrote, "Police had come to my house late tonight and banged the door several times.Since I was not there they left the premises. Right now I was told there is no police outside my house."

Reportedly, several members of the AIADMK party protested outside various movie theatres on Thursday. Social activist G Devarajan registered a complaint against the director asking the Commissioner of Police in Chennai to file a case of sedition against him.

Meanwhile, veterans such as Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have extended their support to the movie and the makers by calling such things as pressure tactics.

'Sarkar' is produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner Sun Pictures. The dialogues were co-written by B. Jeyamohan. The movie features Vijay, Keerthy Suresh, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Yogi Babu and Radha Ravi in pivotal parts. The film has already earned over Rs 100 crore globally within just two days of its release.