Director Hari regrets making films glorifying the police

The deaths of Jeyaraj and his son Bennix due to alleged custodial torture in Santhankulam town in Thoothukudi has led to a severe criticism across Tamil Nadu. People and politicians from other states have also condemned the incident on social media. 

Now, director Hari, who is known for his cop films like Singam and Saamy, has said that he regrets glorifying the police force in five of his films. 

"Such incidents should not take place in Tamil Nadu again. Due to a few officers, the whole police department is now tainted. I regret making five films celebrating the police," he wrote. 

Hari also stated that the culprits should be held responsible and given the highest punishment for their crimes.

On the work front, the director is next teaming up with Suriya and Raashi Khanna for a commercial entertainer titled Aruvaa.

Many Tamil cinema celebrities also expressed their anger and shock on social media. Actor Suriya, who plays the stringent cop Durai Singam in Hari's Singam franchise, lashed out at the police officers. In a strongly-worded statement, he asked for fitting punishment for the cops, who allegedly killed Jeyaraj and Bennix.

Director Pa Ranjith said, "It is our duty to ensure that we don't lose another life to this police brutality. Every single police officer unleashing violence against public without any fear should be made a criminal."

Samantha, Kajal Aggarwal, Ritika Singh, Hansika, Vijay Antony, Andrea, and Vishnu Vishal are among other celebrities, who voiced out against the reported custodial murders.