Iravin Nizhal actor Brigida apologises for her disparaging comments on slums

Actor-director Parthiban's Iravin Nizhal hit the screens the past Friday and opened to mostly positive reviews. The film stars a host of actors including Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Robo Shankar, Sai Priyanka Ruth and Brigida Saga. In a recent interaction after a screening in a Chennai theatre, Brigida was fielding questions regarding the usage of abusive language in the film.

The young actor, who is known for playing Pavi teacher in the hit web series Aaha Kalyanam said, "People in slums usually use such language. We cannot change that just because we are portraying that in a film. We all know how they speak in such slums."

Her comment garnered backlash on social media and several people criticised the comment. Replying to one such post on Twitter, Brigida said, "My hearty sorry for telling those words. I just tried to convey that as the location changes, the language also changes in Iravin Nizhal film. I took the wrong example and I’m feeling so bad for saying that. #AcceptMyApologies. Just a normal girl who’s trying to achieve in film."

The film's director and lead actor Parthiban retweeted Brigida's tweet and said, "I would also like to apologise on behalf of Brigida to those affected. The film's story happens in 1989. In 2022, the developments we see in people from the slums are a result of struggle and education. Most of the leads in my films are people from such a backdrop."

Billed to be the world's first single-shot non-linear film, Iravin Nizhal has music by AR Rahman, cinematography by Arthur A Wilson, and production design by Vijay Murugan.