<\/p>\n
In June, actor Jr NTR announced his next film with director Trivikram Srinivas. The actor-director duo has reunited after eight years, having last collaborated on the 2018 blockbuster Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava. Their upcoming project is reportedly a mythological spectacle based on Lord Murugan.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, soon after the announcement, the film landed in controversy.<\/p>\n
A line from producer Naga Vamsi\u2019s announcement post on X has triggered a web based debate.<\/p>\n
Sharing the first-look poster, Naga Vamsi wrote:<\/p>\n
\u201cBorn within the North.<\/p>\n
Forged within the Heartland.<\/p>\n
Worshipped within the South.<\/p>\n
Now\u2026 A tale destined to belong to the universe.\u201d<\/p>\n The phrase \u201cBorn within the North\u201d has not gone down well with a piece of social media users. Amongst those that objected was Tamil Nadu politician and Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman. He issued a strongly worded statement on X, criticizing the makers and warning them of severe consequences if the film distorts historical and cultural facts. He also threatened to stop the film\u2019s release in Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n Notably, the film has not yet gone on floors, and the makers haven’t officially revealed its storyline. Nonetheless, based on the first-look poster, many have assumed that the film is predicated on Lord Murugan, with Jr NTR portraying the deity.<\/p>\n Moreover, the poster encompasses a Sanskrit verse that has been identified as being from Adi Shankaracharya\u2019s Subrahmanya Bhujangam, a devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Murugan.<\/p>\n In his statement, Seeman warned that anyone attempting to \u201cdistort the history\u201d of Lord Murugan or \u201cdemean Tamilians\u201d would face \u201csevere consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n Moreover, he alleged that communities \u201clacking distinct identities, cultural elements, worship methods and divine traditions\u201d had, over time, appropriated Tamil deities.<\/p>\n He asserted that Lord Murugan\u2019s roots lie deeply inside Tamil culture.<\/p>\n \u201cFrom time immemorial, probably the most ancient, primal god of Tamils, inseparably intertwined with Tamil culture and lifestyle: Lord Muruga Peruman. He, too, the nice Tamil race is not going to let slip away. Tamil is Murugan; Murugan is Tamil; the 2 are inseparable,\u201d reads an element of his statement.<\/p>\n He further wrote, \u201cI warn that the film crew must immediately abandon their attempts to fabricate and impose fictional tales, corresponding to claiming Lord Murugan was born within the northern plains\u2014under the guise of art. Failure to accomplish that will lead to facing probably the most severe repercussions.\u201d<\/p>\n Furthermore, Seeman urged the Tamil Nadu government to stop the film\u2019s release within the state.<\/p>\n \u201cConsidering that this film, which distorts Tamil culture and is created with the intent to harm the emotions of Tamils, could lead on to serious law-and-order issues if released, I strongly urge the Tamil Nadu government not to allow the screening of its Tamil version or Telugu version in Tamil Nadu.\u201d<\/p>\nSeeman\u2019s Objection<\/strong><\/h4>\n