The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu police to provide protection to theaters screening Vijay Deverakonda's film Kingdom, amidst protests led by the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK). The NTK alleges that the film portrays the Tamil Eelam issue in a derogatory manner and misrepresents Sri Lankan Tamils.

Background of the Protests

Kingdom, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and produced by Sithara Entertainments, was released on July 31, 2025. The film is set in the 1990s in Sri Lanka and revolves around a cop-turned-spy. However, the film has faced backlash from pro-Tamil groups, particularly the NTK, who claim that it negatively portrays Sri Lankan Tamils.

NTK cadres have staged demonstrations outside theaters in various locations, including Madurai and Tiruchirappalli, demanding a ban on the film. Protesters have been seen tearing down posters and disrupting screenings. The NTK argues that the film demeans the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) fighters and Eezham Tamils, misrepresenting their history and struggle.

Specifically, objections have been raised regarding the portrayal of Eelam Tamils as oppressors of Hill Country Tamils, which the NTK considers a gross historical distortion. The naming of a villain character as Murugan, a revered Tamil deity, has also been criticized. NTK chief coordinator Senthamizhan Seeman stated that depicting something that never happened as fact and portraying Eelam Tamils in a derogatory manner is unacceptable.

Distributor Seeks Court Protection

In response to the protests and disruptions, SSI Productions, the Tamil Nadu distributor of Kingdom, approached the Madras High Court seeking police protection for theaters screening the film. The distributor requested the court to restrain S. Seeman and his followers from interfering with the film's screening. They also sought a direction to the Director General of Police and Commissioners of Police in Chennai and Coimbatore to provide adequate police protection to the theaters.

SSI Productions argued that the film had been certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and that political parties cannot take the law into their hands to prevent its exhibition. They contended that such actions would curtail the fundamental right to speech and expression. The distributor stated that some theater owners were apprehensive about continuing screenings due to the fear of law and order disturbances.

High Court's Ruling

Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy of the Madras High Court heard the case. The police informed the court that they would provide protection to theaters if needed. The judge asserted that films approved by the censor board cannot be blocked, emphasizing that everyone has the right to express their opinion in a democracy. He clarified that protests are permissible but must be democratic and non-violent. The court ordered the police and the Naam Tamilar Party to respond to the case and adjourned the hearing to the next day.

The Madras High Court emphasized that while dissent is acceptable, it should not lead to the prevention of screening. The court suggested that those offended by the film could pursue legal means to cancel its certification or campaign for a boycott.

Responses and Clarifications

Sithara Entertainments, the production house behind Kingdom, issued a clarification stating that they respect the sentiments of the Tamil people and that there are no scenes in the movie intended to hurt their sentiments. They maintained that the film is a fictional account and expressed regret if it had inadvertently hurt anyone's feelings. However, a purported apology letter from Sithara Entertainments circulated online was later declared fake by the production house.

Despite the controversy, Kingdom is set to release in Sri Lanka on August 8, 2025, in its Tamil version across approximately 20 theaters.