CE Year in Review 2023: Headline-making Controversies of Tamil Cinema 

Tamil cinema of 2023 was one of the more promising years for not just first-time filmmakers making budget-friendly films but also for established directors helming the big-ticket star vehicles. The OTT world too had its fair share of good and bad. While 2023 has been quite the even-handed year for Tamil films in general, social media has been efficient in starting conversations, questioning the status quo, and at times, even blowing up controversies, not always in the right spirit. Given the unbridled power of art and social media, this year has no dearth of controversies. So here are some of the notable melees and war of words that occurred in 2023.

Can the real Paruthi-Veeran please stand up?

Ahead of the release of Japan, Karthi's silver jubilee film, the makers organised a major show inviting the filmmakers who had worked with Karthi in his 16-year-old career. Conspicious by his absence was director Ameer who launched Karthi in Paruthiveeran. After a media interaction here and a no-holds-barred interview there, the long-standing conflict about financial issues between Ameer and producer KE Gnanavel Raja became quite the raging debate. For the unversed, Ameer alleged that Studio Green's Gnanavelraja refused to fund money for the film, midway, and that he put in the money to complete the film. So, Ameer filed a case against the producer seeking proper compensation and rights for the film years ago, and this case has been going on in court for more than a decade now. Gnanavel retorted in an interview with his side of the story, and his comments fired up a storm causing Samuthirakani, Sudha Kongara, Sasikumar and Nandha Periyasamy among others to defend Ameer. While Gnanavelraja did give an ambiguous note of clarification, it was the silence from Karthi and his brother Suriya that was deafening.

A Man not so Sure of his comments

Post the release of Leo, actor Mansoor Ali Khan, in an interview, made some crass comments about his co-star Trisha in an interview. Even as social media called him out for his insensitivity, Trisha too stood up for herself and expressed her displeasure over his disparaging comments. In the aforementioned interview, he was seen saying, “They do not allow us to rape on screen anymore. When I came to know that I would be acting with Trisha, I thought there would be some bedroom scenes and that I could throw her on the bed.” In a fiercely worded social media post, Trisha said she would never work with him henceforth. Director Lokesh Kanagaraj, Karthik Subbaraj, Khushbu, Chinmayi, and even stars like Chiranjeevi expressed their solidarity with Trisha. When the National Commission for Women and the South Indian Nadigar Sangam took up the issue, Mansoor issued a public apology, which was acknowledged by Trisha, putting an end to the outcry on social media.

Blurring lines between reel and real
 

Vishal’s Mark Antony, one of the biggest money spinners in Tamil cinema, received the limelight from a different source. The actor alleged that he had to bribe the officials at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Mumbai for the certification of the Hindi version of the film. In a video, the Sandakozhi actor revealed that he had to pay a total of 6.5 lakhs to get the Hindi version of Mark Antony released. Vishal alleged that two transactions of 3 Lakhs and 3.5 Lakhs were paid to get the censor certificate for the film. He further attached the bank account details to which he had transferred the amounts. Taking cognisance of the allegation, the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting appointed a senior officer to conduct an enquiry into the matter. While a judgement on the case is yet to be made, Vishal updated his followers that he was in touch with the I&B ministry and that he was satisfied with the way things were proceeding.

The heart will never forget

Chennaites had the most notoriously unforgettable experience with AR Rahman’s Marakkuma Nenjam concert this year. Thanks to poor management on the side of the organisers, ACTC events, a lot of fans suffered from terrifying issues including abuse, assault, and not being able to enter the venue despite having purchased tickets. The queues went up to the roads and those who could reach the venue failed to find their seats. While fans genuinely poured their hearts out on social media hoping for their idol to empathise, Rahman’s tweet which did not even have an apology, disappointed and hurt the fans even more. While a refund was promised, many have not received it even after 3 months. But the real question is, how can compensation make up for the physical and emotional turmoil that scores of fans underwent just because they wanted to listen to the Mozart of Madras?

Critiquing a cult
 

During the audio launch of Mari Selvaraj’s third directorial, Maamannan, the director spoke about Thevar Magan and how that film acted as an impetus for him to make this film. He said that Thevar Magan affected him personally as he could not understand whether the story between two brothers in a community was right or wrong. He further said that he wondered what role a character like his father would have in such a story, and that’s what gave birth to the idea behind Maamannan. While he did call the film an important filmmaking lesson, his comments were seen as calling out Thevar Magan for its wrong message. The fact that these comments were made in the presence of Kamal Haasan, who was the Chief Guest for the event, didn't set well with fans on social media. After the audio launch, the issue blew up to become a controversy, and Mari spent many an interview trying to explain his side of things, and clarify the statements he made on the stage. His biggest defence was that Kamal Haasan knew what he actually meant, and the thespian's silence on the matter put an end to this controversy, which lasted for a few news cycles before fizzling out to allow airspace for the next controversy.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder

Jigarthanda Double X was yet another blockbuster hit of 2023, which was celebrated as a tribute to cinema. During a press interaction post the film’s release, a journalist asked director Karthik Subbaraj, “Even though Nimisha doesn't look that beautiful, she has performed very well in the film. What was the reason for casting her?" While the misogynistic question made several heads turn, Karthik stood up for Nimisha and many others when he replied, “How can you say she is not beautiful? It is all in the mindset. You cannot put forth such remarks." While Nimisha did not condemn the comment, the film’s music composer Santhosh Narayanan and several other netizens voiced their criticism against the journalist, establishing confidence that body and beauty shaming is no longer tolerated in this society.


Didn’t think on his feet

During the audio launch of the film Partner, Robo Shankar made crass statements while speaking about the film’s female lead, Hansika. He said that Hansika did not permit him to touch her feet during a scene although he requested her for it. Further, he said that it was the film’s lead Aadhi Pinisetty’s ‘privilege’ to get the opportunity to touch Hansika. While the actor left the venue immediately after the speech, he was condemned for his words by a journalist from the crowd. Actor John Vijay then apologised on behalf of the actor, but the speech still went viral on social media, making the audience call out the actor for his behaviour. It is to be noted that Hansika could not understand most of what was said as he spoke in Tamil.

Foot in the door

Chennai’s famous Rohini Theatre came under heat earlier this year during the release of Silambarasan’s Pathu Thala. A video of one of the workers denying a tribal family access to the screening of the film went viral on social media, causing furore. The situation became worse when Rohini Theatre’s official social media page defended the act with the argument that the family was not allowed as the film was censored ‘U/A’. However, a ‘U/A’ certification stands for 'unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of twelve' according to CBFC, and the children of the family were older than the age bar. Kamal Haasan and GV Prakash were among the many who berated the act.  Further, a video shot by a regional channel showed Neelaveni, the woman of the affected tribal family, sharing that they are used to discrimination and are often restricted entry into theatres