Suriya gets police protection after threats, not afraid

It seems being an actor is no longer a safe zone. Some action or the other of yours is sure to incense some radical individual or fanatical fringe group.

Suriya’s laudable attempt in Prime Video’s Jai Bhim to show the inhuman injustice served to a tribal man has incurred the wrath of certain sections. Makkal Katchi (PMK) Mayiladuthurai district secretary Panneerselvam announced to the media a reward of Rs 1 lakh for physically assaulting the actor. A legal notice sent by the Vanniyar Sangam demanded an apology and Rs 5 crores for "damning, tarnishing and damaging the reputation" of the community.

Through all this tamasha, Suriya remains unfazed. Though not available for comment, a close actor-friend of Suriya tells me, “He is on the right track, and he knows it. He will produce and act in more films that raise the level of social conscience in the country. Suriya won’t be cowed down by fringe groups. He has been around long enough to know when his name is used to generate publicity.”

Apparently, Suriya plans to produce a sequel to Jai Bhim, telling the story of more atrocities committed against weak underprivileged classes in Tamil Nadu.