Controversial spin to film on cricket wizard Murali

World renowned cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s Biopic ‘800’ sparked controversy this week in Tamil Nadu where Tamil nationalist parties and fringe diaspora groups are protesting against Tamil film hero Vijay Sethupathi demanding him to step down from playing the role of the Sri Lankan cricketer of yesteryear.

With the releasing of a fresh poster this week, the groups and netizens are up in arms against South India's versatile actor urging him to leave the project citing the world renowned ‘spin wizard’ was insensitive to Tamil feelings in the past, particularly during the wartime years. They have also objected to Murali’s association with the Rajapaksas in Sri Lankan politics. Taking the matter to Twitter, the protesting groups made it a trend with the hastag #ShameonVijaySethupathi.

The makers of the Tamil film 800 issued a clarification, saying the film is purely a sports biography, and that it is being politicised.

“We, as the producers, assure that this film will not showcase any scenes that would belittle the struggles of Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka or hurt their sentiments in any way. On a positive note, the film will engage the Tamil film community in Sri Lanka, providing the artistes and technicians with a platform to showcase their talents on a global stage,” said a statement issued by them on Thursday.

According to the official synopsis, 800 is a fast-paced and funny biopic, and will be a moving portrayal of one of cricket’s most brilliant and divisive characters, and a tale of ethnicity and pride. The film will be shot in Sri Lanka, U.K, Australia and India. The shoot will start at the beginning of 2021 and the movie is set to be released at the end of 2021.

The film will be made primarily in Tamil, and will also be dubbed in all South Indian languages, as well as Hindi, Bengali and Sinhala. An international version with English subtitles is also being planned.