'Jai Bhim' row: #WeStandWithSuriya trends, support pours in from actors & directors

Caste is a sensitive subject when it comes to cinema and actor Suriya’s latest film 'Jai Bhim' continues to stay in the headlines with different sections of people divided on it. While most are applauding the brave him for throwing light on the plight of a marginalised community, many others are objecting to the film's treatment of the subject.

With the film becoming a political hot potato in the state, members of the Tamil film fraternity have overwhelmingly shown their solidarity with Suriya.

Filmmaker Vetrimaaran known for making films on caste injustices, tweeted, “No one can be made to feel lesser for doing the right thing #Jaibheem. Suriya is one star who is redefining stardom".

South actors Prakash Raj, Sathyaraj, Siddharth are among those who have publicly spoken up in favour of Suriya.

Amid the political opposition to Jai Bhim, the hashtag #WeStandWithSuriya is dominating social media.

PMK leader and former Union minister Anbumani Ramadoss is leading the attack against Jai Bhim, alleging that certain scenes in the film have hurt the sentiments of the Vanniyar community. The Vanniyar Sangam, meanwhile, has sent a legal notice to Suriya, who is also the producer of the film, demanding Rs 5 crore in damages.

'Jai Bhim' is inspired by a real-life pro-bono human rights case fought by retired Madras High Court judge K Chandru, when he was an advocate at the same court. The film was released to an overwhelmingly positive response on Amazon Prime Video earlier this month.