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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Madras High Court directs police to protect theatres screening of 'Kingdom' amid NTK protests
The Madras High Court on Thursday directed the Tamil Nadu police to ensure adequate protection for theatres screening the Vijay Deverakonda-starrer Kingdom, in response to threats and disruptions reportedly orchestrated by members of Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy issued the directive while disposing of a writ petition filed by SSI Production, which holds the theatrical distribution rights for the film in Tamil Nadu. The petitioner alleged that NTK cadres had threatened theatre owners and disrupted screenings across the state, following a social media post by NTK's chief coordinator Seeman, who criticised the film for allegedly misrepresenting the Tamil Eelam issue. Counsel for SSI Production presented video footage showing vandalised posters and flex boards of the film in various locations. It was also alleged that protesters had entered some theatres, disrupting shows and attempting to dissuade audiences from watching the film. Letters reportedly written by NTK members to theatre owners warning against screening 'Kingdom' were also submitted to the court. The government's counsel informed the court that 16 NTK cadres had been arrested in connection with the incidents, and multiple protests had been held by the party. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo by Taboola by Taboola However, Seeman's legal counsel argued that the protests were peaceful and democratic. He maintained that Seeman had merely voiced his opposition to the film's content and had not incited violence or disruption. He further criticised the filmmakers for allegedly depicting Sri Lankan Tamils as "illegal immigrants" involved in smuggling activities. Responding to the arguments, Justice Chakravarthy stressed the importance of artistic freedom in a democratic society. "You and I may not agree with the content of the movie if it is very, very abhorrent, as you say... But the artistic freedom in a democracy must always be protected," he said. While acknowledging the right of political parties to protest, he clarified that such protests must be peaceful, conducted with police permission, and held in designated areas. Vijay Deverakonda's 'Kingdom' sparks outrage over portrayal of Sri Lankan Tamils| Protesters demand Emphasising that 'Kingdom' is a work of fiction cleared by the Censor Board, the judge ruled that no individual or group has the right to prevent its screening or threaten theatre owners, regardless of objections to its content.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Tamil Nadu govt will provide protection to theatres screening Vijay Deverakonda's Kingdom amid protests
Gowtam Tinnanuri's Vijay Devarakonda-starrer Kingdom is facing stiff opposition from Tamil groups over the depiction of Sri Lankan Tamils in the film as villain. The situation is such that there are concerns about the film being screened peacefully in Tamil Nadu. Kingdom: Vijay Deverakonda plays a police constable turned spy called Suri in the Gowtam Tinnanuri film. TN Police to protect theatres screening Kingdom The Madras High Court on Thursday placed on record the undertaking given by the Tamil Nadu state police that they would provide protection, if needed, to the movie theatres, where the film is screened. Pro-Tamil outfit Naam Thamizhar Katchi (NTK) has staged protests in various parts of the state, interrupting screenings of Kingdom. Government advocate (criminal side) gave the undertaking when the petition filed by M/s SSI Production came up for hearing before Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy. In its petition, SSI Production sought a direction to the police authorities to provide adequate police protection to the theatres to enable the peaceful and uninterrupted screening of the film Kingdom, and further to restrain Seeman (Chief Coordinator of NTK) and his followers from interfering with the lawful screening of the film. What is the controversy In his order, the judge said when the censor board has certified the film, no third party could prevent the exhibition of the movie. If any threat was made by any individual or organisation, action should be taken against them, the judge said. At the same time, if Seeman, Chief Coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi and his party cadres wanted to express their dissent, they could hold a protest after getting permission from the police. They have the liberty to express their contrary view. But, they could conduct the agitation only in a lawful manner, the judge added. Kingdom, produced by Sithara Entertainments and directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, stars Vijay Devarakonda in the lead role. Tamil outfits have taken offence to how Sri Lankan Tamils are depicted as the villains the film, and the primary antagonist is named Murugan. Despite the protests, Kingdom has had a successful run at the box office, earning over ₹75 crore worldwide in a week. The makers are planning to release the film in Sri Lanka now. (With PTI inputs)
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Madras HC directs T.N. police to provide protection to theatres screening Vijay Deverakonda-starrer Kingdom in case of disruptions
The Madras High Court on Thursday (August 7, 2025) directed the Tamil Nadu police to provide adequate protection to cinema theatres screening Vijay Deverakonda-starrer Kingdom if there were reports of threats issued to theatre owners or of the screening being disrupted by any individual/organisation. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the orders while disposing of a writ petition filed by SSI Production, which had bagged the Tamil Nadu theaterical rights of the movie, complaining about threats issued to theatre owners by Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) members across the State. The petitioner's counsel told the court that NTK chief coordinator S. Seeman had tweeted against the movie on his X handle on August 4, 2025, alleging that it portrays the Tamil Eelam issue in a derogatory manner and since then, his party members had begun to disrupt the screenings in many theatres. He played to the court videos of the movie's posters and flex boards having been damaged in some places and claimed that in some theatres, the protesters had entered the cinema hall and registered their objection to its content in an attempt to dissuade the public from watching the movie. Letters written by NTK members to some of the theatre owners in the State were also produced before the court. Government Advocate (criminal side) said, so far, 16 persons had been arrested in connection with the issue and that mutiple demonstrations had been conducted by the NTK cadre. On the other hand, advocate S. Shankar, representing Mr. Seeman, told the court his client, being the leader of a political party, had only opposed the content of the movie but had not prevented anyone from screening it. He also said only peaceful protests were undertaken against the movie in a democratic manner. Stating that a few isolated incidents leading to the arrest of 16 people need not be blown out of proportion, he said, it was not right on the part of the makers of Kingdom to portray as though all Sri Lankan Tamils were not natives but only migrants, and that all of them were indulging in illegal activities such as smuggling. Intervening at this point, Justice Chakravarthy said, 'You and I may not agree with the content of the movie if it is very very abhorrent as you say... Some issues may be close to our heart but another person may have a different view on that. The artistic freedom in a democracy will have to be protected always.' In the same breath, agreeing that a political party also has a right to register its protest, the judge said, such protest must be conducted after obtaining due permission from the police and at a place earmarked by the police for the conduct of demonstrations, fast, and so on, he said. 'In a democracy, the creator of a movie has got every right to express his fair views. In this case, it is the specific case of the writ petitioner that Kingdom is a work of fiction. Even if the views expressed in a movie are abhorrent or unpalatable, no third party can prevent the exhibition of the movie or threaten the theatre owners after the censor board had cleared it for screening in theatres,' the judge said.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
TN govt undertakes to provide protection to cinemas screening film Kingdom
Chennai, August 7 (PTI) The Madras High Court on Thursday placed on record the undertaking given by the state police that they would provide protection, if needed, to the movie theatres, where Tamil film 'Kingdom" is screened. Government advocate (criminal side) gave the undertaking when the petition filed by M/s SSI Production came up for hearing before Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy. In its petition, SSI Production sought a direction to the police authorities to provide adequate police protection to the theatres to enable the peaceful and uninterrupted screening of the film 'Kingdom', and further to restrain Seeman and his followers from interfering with the lawful screening of the film. In his order, the judge said when the censor board has certified the film, no third party could prevent the exhibition of the movie. If any threat was made by any individual or organisation, action should be taken against them, the judge said. At the same time, if Seeman, Chief Coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi and his party cadres wanted to express their dissent, they could hold a protest after getting permission from the police. They have the liberty to express their contrary view. But, they could conduct the agitation only in a lawful manner, the judge added. PTI COR VGN ADB (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 07, 2025, 15:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Madras HC orders notice to DGP over screening of film 'Kingdom'
Chennai, The Madras High Court on Wednesday ordered notice to the DGP, Commissioners of Police, Chennai and Coimbatore and Seeman, Chief Coordinator of Naam Tamilar Katchi in a petition relating to screening of the Tamil film 'Kingdom'. Madras HC orders notice to DGP over screening of film 'Kingdom' Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy posted to August 7, further hearing of the petition filed by M/s SSI Production, which sought a direction to the police authorities to provide adequate police protection to the theatres to enable the peaceful and uninterrupted screening of the film 'Kingdom', and further to restrain Seeman and his followers from interfering with the lawful screening of the film. In its petition, SSI Production submitted that it had recently bagged Tamil Nadu theatrical rights of the film titled 'Kingdom', which has been granted a valid certificate for public exhibition by the Central Board of Film Certification as U/A in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The movie was directed by Goutam Tinnanuri and produced by Sithara Entertainments and lead actor was Vijay Deverakonda. The petitioner submitted that on August 4, Seeman issued a public statement opposing in his social media 'X' handle, the release of the said film alleging that it portrays the Tamil Eelam issue in a derogatory manner, and threatened to besiege theatres and forcibly stop the screening unless the movie was withdrawn. The petitioner said the movie was purely a work of fiction and in no manner hurts the sentiments relating to the Tamil Eelam issue. The said threat has been widely circulated through print and social media and has caused fear among theatre owners and staff. Some cinema hall owners have already expressed apprehension and reluctance to continue screening the film due to the fear of law-and-order disturbances. After the public statement of Seeman, party cadres sent letters to the theatre owners in Coimbatore and Chennai, the petitioner added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
