The screening of Amaran, a biopic on Major Mukund Varadarajan, who was martyred in a civil action against terrorists, has sparked controversy with Muslim organisations and separatist groups such as the May 17 Movement calling for a ban on the film. They claim that the movie portrays Muslims as terrorists, fueling negative narratives about the community.
Following the film’s release and positive response, various fundamentalist and anti-national groups, including those supporting pro-Islamic, Dravidian, and anti-Brahmin ideologies, have raised objections. These critics argue that the film depicts Muslims in a negative light and fails to acknowledge Major Varadarajan’s Brahmin caste background. Additionally, they point out discrepancies in the film’s portrayal of his inspiration to join the military, as the movie suggests he was inspired by a film, while in reality, close relatives in the defense forces influenced his decision to serve.
Thirumurugan Gandhi, the founder of the May 17 Movement, a pro-LTTE group, recently condemned the portrayal of Kashmiris in the biopic Amaran. Speaking at the Chennai Press Club on November 8, 2024, Gandhi, who had previously been arrested under the UAPA during the Jayalalithaa government, criticised the film for depicting Kashmiri people as enemies. He argued that the movie unfairly frames their struggle for rights as antinational, adding to the growing controversy surrounding the film.
இந்த ஹார்பிக்வாயனை முன்பே தேச துரோக சட்டத்தில் கைது செய்து சிறையில் அடைக்காமல் வளர விட்டு வேடிக்கை பார்ப்பதும்
அவனுக்கு மேடை அமைத்து குடுத்து அவனது தீய கருத்துக்களை மக்களிடையே தீயசக்தி மீடியாக்கள் பரப்பவிட்டு வேடிக்கை பார்ப்பதும்
யாருடைய தவறு? 😡😡
— SM 🇮🇳 (@Manin_Kaavi) November 9, 2024
M. Jawahirulla, a Tamil Nadu MLA from the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK), has criticised the biopic Amaran, claiming it spreads negativity and distorts history by ignoring the struggles faced by Kashmiri people. Speaking out on November 8, 2024, Jawahirulla argued that the film unjustly labels those fighting for democratic land rights in Kashmir as terrorists, drawing parallels between the Kashmiris’ fight for land rights and Tamil Nadu’s own struggle for state rights. He also linked the movie to other controversial films such as The Kashmir Files and The Kerala Story, suggesting that they share similar ideologies under the guise of art.
Jawahirulla further highlighted the past criticisms faced by Kamal Haasan for films like Unnai Pol Oruvan and Vishwaroopam, which were accused of portraying the Muslim community in a negative light. In a disturbing development, a Muslim man issued a threat to Kamal Haasan and his crew, warning them of severe repercussions if they continued to make such films in the future, saying, “No words. Don’t play with us, and stop this immediately.”
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) staged a protest outside Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International office, burning an effigy of the actor and producer in the process. The protesters condemned the Tamil Nadu government for supporting the film and called for an immediate ban on Amaran. AK Kareem, the State Secretary of SDPI, accused the film of promoting anti-minority sentiments and claimed it was made to incite hatred against Muslims. Demonstrations were held across Chennai, Tirupur, and other locations in protest.
KM Shariff, president of Tamilaga Makkal Jananayaga Katchi, along with his supporters, joined the protests against Kamal Haasan’s film Amaran, addressing the media to voice their concerns. Despite the protests, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, after viewing the film, expressed his appreciation. The film has also received open support from several prominent figures, including Superstar Rajinikanth, actor Suriya, Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, H Raja, and Tamil Nadu Congress president Selvaperunthagai. Released on October 31, Amaran is based on the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan, who was martyred in Kashmir’s Shopian district in 2014. Ironically, the film was distributed by Deputy CM Udhaya Nidhi Stalin’s Red Giant firm.
Critics have raised questions, asking why protests are not being directed against Chief Minister Stalin and his son’s distribution firm, in addition to Kamal Haasan’s production office and crew members. They argue that these groups lack the courage to challenge them. Muslim groups, on the other hand, have called for the film to be viewed in the context of creative freedom and expression, stressing that it is based on real events and should be respected as such. They highlighted the hypocrisy of political parties in Tamil Nadu, who now call for a ban despite previously supporting the film.
Lt Col. N Thiagarajan, on his X platform, strongly condemned Thirumurugan Gandhi’s statement for distorting the Indian Army’s war cry in a manner that threatens religious harmony and incites communal tensions. He emphasised that no Indian should tolerate such attempts to misrepresent the honor of the forces and mislead the public.
Condemn in the strongest terms the statement of #ThirumuruganGandhi for distorting the #IndianArmy's war cry in a way that disrupts religious harmony and incites communal tensions. No Indian can tolerate this attempt to misrepresent the honor of our forces and mislead the public. https://t.co/WzdldXFc0r pic.twitter.com/lOSwBSBZGa
— Lt Col N Thiagarajan Veteran (@NTR_NationFirst) November 8, 2024
In response to criticism that the film “Amaran” overlooked Major Mukund Varadarajan’s Brahmin background, some critics have pointed out a contradiction, questioning why his wife’s Christian identity is so prominently displayed in the film, particularly through her visible wearing of the Holy Cross necklace. They argue that if the film intended to portray Mukund as an army man who fought without regard to caste, it seems inconsistent to highlight her religious identity after their marriage.
In her official statement on X, Mukund’s wife praised the film, stating, “The film ‘Amaran’ has garnered immense appreciation from the people of Tamil Nadu and has been well-received across the state. On October 30, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin praised the film wholeheartedly.”
Vanathi Srinivasan condemned the protests against the film, stating, “Certain forces, unable to tolerate the portrayal of a soldier’s martyrdom and the patriotism of the Tamil people, have stirred unrest. These individuals are manipulating public sentiment to disrupt the peaceful screenings of ‘Amaran’ and are targeting theatres with violent protests. Fundamentalist groups are attempting to create a law-and-order crisis by branding the film as promoting a ‘terrorist narrative’ and misrepresenting Kashmiri separatists as ‘land rights fighters.’ This is a gross distortion of history and an insult to the sacrifices made by our soldiers.”
காஷ்மீரை இந்தியாவிலிருந்து பிளக்கத் துடிக்கும் பயங்கரவாதிகள், பிரிவினைவாதிகளை 'மண்ணுரிமைப் போராளிகள்' என்று போற்றுபவர்கள் மீது தமிழ்நாடு அரசு கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும்.
'அமரன்' திரைப்பட எதிர்ப்பு என்ற பெயரில் தமிழ்நாட்டின் அமைதியை சீர்குலைக்கும் அடிப்படைவாதிகளை முளையிலேயே… pic.twitter.com/q9zwkZ44fM
— Vanathi Srinivasan (@VanathiBJP) November 9, 2024
She stated, “M.H. Jawahirullah, leader of the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and a sitting MLA, has openly supported the narrative that the terrorists attempting to seize Kashmir from India are simply fighting for land rights, equating them with freedom fighters. He has likened this to Tamil Nadu’s own struggle for state rights. His comments undermine the nation’s sovereignty and risk inciting further violence.”
Meanwhile, police arrested Arjun Sampath, leader of the Indu Makkal Katchi, along with other supporters who protested in favor of the film and against the fundamentalist forces calling for its ban.
“A film should be viewed as a source of knowledge and entertainment. While any misrepresentation can be questioned and taken to court for legal redress, protesting and threatening the film’s crew to demand a ban is unacceptable,” she added.
