Do the Makers of Vijay Deverakonda's 'Kingdom' Regret Their Actions Towards Tamil Audiences?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The makers respect Tamil sentiments.
- ‘Kingdom’ is a fictional work.
- Protests have erupted due to perceived negative portrayals.
- Filmmakers have issued a public apology.
- Regional sentiments are crucial in filmmaking.
Chennai, Aug 6 (NationPress) The creators of the action-packed film ‘Kingdom’, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and starring Vijay Deverakonda, have publicly acknowledged their respect for the feelings of the Tamil community and expressed their regret if the film inadvertently caused any distress.
They emphasized that the movie is entirely a work of fiction and assured the Tamil audience that there are no scenes intended to offend their sentiments.
The production company, Sithara Entertainments, released a statement on Wednesday affirming, "We acknowledge and respect the emotions of the Tamil people, and we assure that there are no scenes in the film that could be interpreted as hurtful to the local community."
Furthermore, they clarified that the film's narrative is purely imaginary, a fact stated in the movie's disclaimer.
The production team expressed, "Should there be any hurt feelings, we sincerely apologize for the incident and hope for your support of the film."
This clarification follows protests erupting in Tamil Nadu after the film’s global release on July 31, which has stirred controversy over its alleged negative depiction of Sri Lankan Tamils.
Nationalist groups, especially Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), have accused the filmmakers of disrespecting Tamil sentiments.
The NTK claims that 'Kingdom' portrays Sri Lankan Tamils as antagonists, asserting that this representation is not only offensive but also undermines the identity and history of the Tamil people.
Directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri, 'Kingdom' features music by Anirudh Ravichander and editing by Navin Nooli. The film is produced by Naga Vamsi S and Sai Soujanya under the banners of Sithara Entertainments and Fortune 4 Cinemas, respectively, with Srikara Studios presenting it. Renowned costume designer Neeraja Kona handles the film's wardrobe, complemented by songs choreographed by Vijay Binni.
Action sequences are crafted by three stunt choreographers: Yannick Ben, Chethan D’Souza, and Real Satis.