HC moved against Vadivelu's comeback film 'Tenaliraman'

Chennai: A petition has been filed in Madras High Court seeking to restrain the screening of popular Tamil comedian Vadivelu's comeback film 'Tenaliraman' on the ground that it might have portrayed emperor Krishnadevaraya in a ridiculous manner hurting the sentiments of Telugu people.

When the petition came up for hearing, a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Satish K Agnihotri and Justice M M Sundresh today posted the matter to another bench and adjourned the matter. Petitioner R Balagurusamy, Founder-President of Tamil Nadu Telugu Makkal Peravi (Telugu people's forum), prayed for an interim direction to the Tamil Nadu government to stop exhibiting the film, in which Vadivelu has done a dual role - that of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya and Tenalirama, jester in his court.

Vadivelu is seeking to make a comeback after a gap of over two years. The petitioner submitted that AGS Entertainment Limited had produced the film for which the Central Board of Film Certification issued censor certificate. He suspects that role of Emperor Krishnadevaraya portrayed would have been in a ridiculous manner and as a comic personality.

This would hurt the sentiments of Telugu minority people in the state. The forum had sent representation to the producer to screen the film to its representatives. The petitioner also sought direction to the film's producers to screen the movie to its representatives or authorities appointed by the court before the movie's release, date of which is yet to be announced.