The producers of Vijay starrer Mersal on Saturday offered to remove scenes referring to GST and Digital India if required. It comes a day after the BJP's objection to references to Goods and Service Tax in Mersal became a full-blown political slugfest across the country.
Even as the support for Mersal is growing by the minute, the filmmakers have reached out to the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has taken offence to certain dialogues in the Vijay starrer mocking the Central government’s initiatives like GST and Digital India. Producer Hema Rukmani has issued a statement apologising to anyone who was offended by certain scenes in the film. The producers have also offered to remove the scenes in question if required.
A statement by Mersal producer and CEO Sri Thennandal Films Hema Rukmini reads as follows, “Mersal, our 100th film, starring Vijay and directed by Atlee, is running successfully across the globe. On behalf of my organisation, I thank all of the fans for their support and for making this such a grand success. Ilayathalapathy Vijay has been working hard for the film for over a year, along with director Atlee and the crew. Despite numerous roadblocks and controversies prior to the release, Mersal fulfilled the hopes of the fans, by releasing on Deepavali. Crores of rupees and the work of hundreds of employees’ for over a year is behind this movie. The controversies that have arisen over the last few days have caused us a great deal of heartache. The movie Mersal is not against anyone, nor does it portray any views against the government. ‘Medical care for the common man’ is the core of the film. To give good films that provide wholesome entertainment to the people has been our motive over the years. If the movie has hurt the feelings of anyone, I consider it my personal heartache and apologise. We met with the representatives of the Bharatiya Janata Party in person and explained our stand. Thamilisai Soundarrajan and many others appreciated our direct approach. According to their point of view, their protest is valid. We are willing to remove scenes or messages that may be seen as misleading or which might create misunderstanding. I thank Tamilians across the world, especially fans of Ilayathalapathy Vijay, on behalf of Thennandal Films, for making this Deepavali a Mersal Deepavali.”
The statement comes a day after the BJP’s objection to references to Goods and Service Tax in Mersal became a full-blown political slugfest across the country. The Modi government came under fire for allegedly being intolerant to dissenting voices and freedom of expression.
Mersal has received a huge support from different walks of life. Kollywood celebrities, including Kamal Haasan and Vishal, have come out in support of the film and have spoken against re-censoring the film.
Looks like Mersal producers, however, want to put an end to a raging controversy that has brought a huge amount of attention to their film.
In the climax scene, Vijay’s character questions as to why the government can’t provide free healthcare even as it charges 28 percent GST. He also makes reference to the Gorakhpur tragedy, where 60 children died in a government-run hospital due to the shortage of oxygen supply in the BJP-ruled state in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu demanded that the “untruths” about GST be removed from Mersal, drawing flak from the opposition parties.