Ilayathalapathy Vijay's Mersal has sparked off a major political slugfest even as it continues to rock the box office worldwide. The latest controversy has gained national importance after a section of the Bharatiya Janata Party objected to a few dialogues in the film that criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pet projects. A slew of BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu has joined the chorus of demanding the filmmakers to mute the lines related to the Goods and Service Tax regime and Digital India. The producers of Mersal, who are seemingly considering to give into political pressure, have been receiving support from all walks of life. The Tamil film industry has also thrown its weight behind Mersal and Vijay. General Secretary of Nadigar Sangam and the president of Tamil Film Producers' Council, Vishal, also issued a statement in support of Mersal. He thanked Vijay and the makers of Mersal for addressing social issues in their film. "Political leaders asking to remove certain scenes in Mersal is the direct conflict of interest to freedom of expression. In Hollywood, several movies are made mocking the President of the US, it's democracy and we all have freedom of speech," Vishal said. "It is impossible to please everyone. A political party cannot decide what scene or a dialogue should be in a movie if that's the case, then what's the use in having the censor board," he added. "No one has the right to re-censor a move that already censored. We all have our rights to express what we feel and it is our responsibility too." Actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan, who has suffered in the past due to political pressure in the past, said there was no need to censor the film again. “Mersal was certified. Don't re-censor it. Counter criticism with logical response. Dont silence critics. India will shine when it speaks,” Haasan said in a tweet. Actor-politician Sarath Kumar also shared a similar sentiment about BJP demand. "A film which is CERTIFIED by censor board cannot be questioned. If questionable , why censor board at all ?#Mersel," he tweeted. "Here is the mindset of the BJP..they see communal traits in everything.. guys,look after the country n we shall take care of our beliefs..," actor-politician Khushbu Sundar reacted sharply to BJP leader H Raja's comments on Vijay's religion. Here is what the celebrities had to say about Mersal: Here is the mindset of the BJP..they see communal traits in everything.. guys,look after the country n we shall take care of our beliefs.. pic.twitter.com/H7BwXhYIly — khushbusundar (@khushsundar) October 21, 2017 Mersal was certified. Dont re-censor it . Counter criticism with logical response. Dont silence critics. India will shine when it speaks. — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) October 20, 2017 #Mersal @actorvijay @Atlee_dir @ThenandalFilms pic.twitter.com/2aNtGXWFOR — Vishal Film Factory (@VffVishal) October 21, 2017 By consolidating taxes,GST is making ppl aware of their people will ask the govt for their due.What's wrong?#Mersal — arvind swami (@thearvindswami) October 20, 2017 An actor worldwide talks the lines written by the dialogue writer,no fairness in asking for an explanation to just the actor. — sripriya (@sripriya) October 20, 2017 My FB post on the #Mersal dialogue controversy, which is making national news now. Politicians - Leave Cinema alone please ✍️✍️🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/RMMFpp8zCG — Dhananjayan Govind (@Dhananjayang) October 21, 2017 Mersal is directed by Atlee, which has Vijay playing three different roles. The film has opened to a grand reception from the fans across the world, setting the box office on fire.
