Veteran actor Sivakumar, father of Suriya and Karthi, was trolled since a video, which showed him angrily knock a mobile phone off the hands of a fan seeking to take a selfie with him, went viral. Posts and memes sprang up online making fun of the veteran actor who is known to be an erudite Tamil scholar and speaker on historic literature and events.
A few celebrities also waded in to criticise him . With the controversy snowballing online, the actor was forced to put out an explanation for his impolite act on a fan. Sivakumar came out with a short video message on Tuesday in which he apologised profusely to the man for his behaviour. He says in the video - “Eager fans in a huge crowd tend to get excited like this. A popular actor has to bear with it. For all those who thought my actions were indeed wrong, I express my deepest regret. My heartfelt apologies to everyone, I am very sorry,” he said.
Twitterati had, however, not been too impressed with his behaviour against a cinema fan who had wished to take a selfie. Many pointed out that popular actors like his young sons need their support in making them the stars they are, but when it came to handling a crowd of impatient fans the veteran actor lost his temper.
In an earlier statement Sivakumar had tried to justify his action, saying, “Taking selfies is something that involves a person’s own interests as it might be something to relish with memories when holidaying and celebratory moments. I have no allegations or claims to make upon one’s personal interests. But when it comes to treating a socialite or a celebrity, it shouldn’t be the same there, where they deserve their privacies and respect too. It happened that from the moment I stepped out of the car and walked into the venue that was occupied by 200-300 people, I felt little disappointed to see around 20-25 people clicking selfies by pushing the volunteers and guards who accompanied me there.
He had gone on to say, “I personally feel that it is courtesy to ask any celebrity or any person before they start clicking photos with them. I am someone, who has never hesitated to take photos at airports and any other gatherings with people. Striking a more conciliatory tone, he said, “I am not claiming myself as Buddha or a saint, but an ordinary person like you who leads a normal life. Moreover, I am not requesting anyone to accept me as his or her leader or inspiring hero.” But when he felt that things were going beyond control on the social media which was censorious of his behaviour and the media was also discussing the matter, the actor issued the video apology.
