Jai Bhim: Legal case filed on Suriya & Jyotika

Suriya’s latest release Jai Bhim has won wide acclaim from audiences and critics. The film had a direct release on Amazon Prime Video. It was inspired by a real-life case argued by Justice Chandru. Meanwhile, the film has now landed in legal trouble for allegedly defaming the Vanniyar community.

Pu. Tha. Arulmozhi, State President of the Vanniyar Sangam, has issued a legal notice to Suriya (actor and producer of Jai Bhim), TJ Gnanavel (director), Jyotika (producer) and a representative of Amazon.in, earlier today. The notice asked the team “to cease and desist from making or publishing any false, malicious and defamatory remarks against (the Vanniyar) community and its people.”

The notice also sought damages in Rs. 5 crores, which has to be paid of seven days from the time and date of its receipt. It was alleged that though the movie depicted a real story and real people, the makers have intentionally changed the name of the policeman who tortures Rajakannu.

“Our client states that you have retained the real names of the real characters in the real incident in the movie … But deliberately you have changed the name of the sub-inspector. In the real story, the sub-inspector who is involved in the custodial death of the undertrial was called Anthonysamy, who was Christian by religion,” stated the notice.

It was further alleged that the makers have also put a calendar with ‘Agni Kudam’ (associated with the Vanniyar Sangam) symbol at the inspector’s house, clearly indicating that he belongs to the Vanniyar community. “It was done with the malafide intention of defaming the members of the Vanniyar Sangam and damaging the image and reputation of the entire Vanniyar community,” the notice further added.

Just a few days back, Suriya clarified that they didn’t have any intentions of defaming a particular community. But still, it looks like the Vanniyar community heads are not satisfied. It has to be seen how Suriya and the team respond to these legal allegations.