Vijay Sethupathi’s Muttiah Muralidaran’s biopic titled 800 was announced on Tuesday (October 13) with a motion poster. 24 hours later, the hashtag #ShameOnVijaySethupathi has been trending since morning. After the film’s announcement, several netizens are not happy with Vijay Sethupathi playing the Sri Lankan cricketer on screen as he hails from the country that oppressed Tamils.
https://twitter.com/ArjunNamboo/status/1316094237104988160?s=20
MURALIDARAN BIOPIC… Motion poster of #MuralidaranBiopic… Titled #800TheMovie… Stars #VijaySethupathi as cricketer #MuthiahMuralidaran… Directed by #MSSripathy… Produced by Movie Train Motion Pictures and Vivek Rangachari. pic.twitter.com/9RuAeCK7BB
— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) October 13, 2020
Many pointed out that the Sri Lankan government was responsible for killing thousands of Tamils and treating them as minorities in the country. Director Seenu Ramasamy, too, requested Vijay Sethupathi to reconsider his decision of doing the film.
Here are some comments against Vijay Sethupathi
https://twitter.com/dhivya_dharshin/status/1316350565568266240?s=20
Tamil Youngsters who Trends we support Vijay sethupathi should know our History.. Simply supporting Kuthadis will not give anything.. Feeling Angry on this useless Youngsters
#ShameOnVijaySethupathi pic.twitter.com/XFbHz6iOnT
— சேலம் கார்த்தி (@salemkarthi1997) October 14, 2020
https://twitter.com/dhivya_dharshin/status/1316293423813414913?s=20
https://twitter.com/Tamil37891641/status/1316275508821155846?s=20
https://twitter.com/iam_jafeth/status/1316403329165979649?s=20
https://twitter.com/mskisforjustice/status/1316333244439318528?s=20
https://twitter.com/southindiann/status/1316072274785517568?s=20
However, Vijay Sethupathi’s fans came to his rescue by defending him. Netizens pointed out that 800 is a biopic on cricketing legend Muttiah Muralitharan and not on any controversial event.
Here are some comments supporting Vijay Sethupathi:
#ShameOnVijaySethupathi??
Why people are against Vijay sethupathi
"If Hollywood makes the film about Mahatma Gandhi, then why doesn't India make film about Murlidharan".
Atleast this time he need support#VijaySethupathi pic.twitter.com/xv45P8qyeh— ABHIRAM SIVADAS (@AbhiramSivadas) October 14, 2020
Oh you gotta be fuckin' kidding me with this #ShameOnVijaySethupathi trend. What is the problem now with portraying Muttiah Muralitharan
— dk is not a real person (@dk_fakegod) October 13, 2020
Why #ShameOnVijaySethupathi instead of this #shameonfans for such bullshit people are there. pic.twitter.com/kTs8hLmJUv
— Sumit Kumar
(@MeSumitKumarr) October 14, 2020
Shame on people who trend #ShameOnVijaySethupathi It is his own decision to do a biopic of anyone. Since he does a biopic who isn't belong to your region doesn't means he is worthless.
If you are supporter of particular region, better be in your home itself. #ShameofYOU— dharanesh (@dharu29) October 13, 2020
In a press statement, Muttiah Muralitharan said, “Once the script was ready, we thought the best fit for this movie is non-other than Vijay Sethupathi. I think he is a very talented actor and he will nail the bowling expressions. I trust Vijay completely as he is one of the greatest actors and I have complete faith that he’ll definitely do wonders for the film.”
