Video: Bollywood controversy over Sri Lanka war film

5 August 2013 10:12 am - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Bollywood is stepping into controversial terrain with the new spy thriller, "Madras Cafe", which represents the conflict period in Sri Lanka raising concerns among India's large Tamil population.

The movie, which opens in India this month, features John Abraham as an Indian secret agent shortly after peace-keeping troops sent by New Delhi to Sri Lanka were forced to withdraw in 1990 following a three-year battle with separatist Tamil rebels.

Director Shoojit Sircar describes the movie as a "hardcore political film which examines conspiracies, espionage, how information is coded, decoded and passed through".

While the film's main character is fictitious, Sircar said he had "used real references, portrayed rebel groups, revolutionary freedom fighters, Indian Peace Keeping Forces (and) shown how India got involved and the chaos".

"The bigger message is that in a civil war, civilians suffer the most," he told AFP.

"I did not want the usual India-Pakistan backdrop," he said. "I had been following this civilian crisis for a long time and integrated it into the main story."

Although the movie has passed India's censor board, the film may still face hurdles in the southern state of Tamil Nadu as the activists among the politically active Tamil population in India have already raised concerns over the movie's depiction of the rebels in the conflict.

Activist group Naam Tamilar (We Tamils) has asked the state government to stop the film's release, unhappy that the trailer depicted the LTTE as "terrorists", according to Indian media reports.

"We would like to see the film before its release," filmmaker Sebastian Seeman, who heads the group, told Indo-Asian News Service.

“We would let the film pass if we don't find any scene in the film objectionable" he said.

Madras Cafe Official Trailer ►

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Comments - 16

Shane Monday, 05 August 2013 10:54 AM

I also would like to see the film before it is released, preferably with popcorn.

dev Monday, 05 August 2013 11:40 AM

I will watch this as a MOVIE only, Nothing personal.

SL patriot Monday, 05 August 2013 11:46 AM

definietly LTTE is terrorists group.Who said no? Even India also confirming except these Nadu politicians.

lal Monday, 05 August 2013 11:54 AM

Seen the preview. No pop corn. Only Vadai available. Don't miss the end; a rivolting Jaya and Karu scene.

Nodrog Monday, 05 August 2013 12:13 PM

Pity they can't show how the supposedly supreme leader met his end in a mud-hole.

kondebendapucheena Monday, 05 August 2013 12:18 PM

LTTE is history in SL so no problem what ever it say

Ram UK Monday, 05 August 2013 12:29 PM

when country is sadden by the death of students you guys are having thamasa like your superior...hope you will feel these kind of pain soon . No one can do these things....

Darrak Monday, 05 August 2013 01:41 PM

oh another hurt LTTE sympathasizer crying crocodile tears LOL

crick Tuesday, 06 August 2013 01:24 AM

LTTE are terrorists and thats a fact you cant hide.

Shashika Tuesday, 06 August 2013 04:27 AM

U cn tell the same think to your Tamil Nadu politicians as they faced more more problems than us... Y u people always cocern about us ,, dont you people have work to do...

Shashika Tuesday, 06 August 2013 04:28 AM

1000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000% agreed....

John Cena Tuesday, 06 August 2013 04:35 AM

Banned as a Terrorist Organisation by Indian Govt, but cannot call them 'terrorists' ?

CHC Tuesday, 06 August 2013 05:04 AM

LTTE is a "terrorist" organisation so whats the big deal???

Name not Required Tuesday, 06 August 2013 05:13 AM

TN politicos are same as SL politicos . they do not want solutions. just keep the wound without cure. Just need to get ignore peoples vote through fake patriotism......... No body cares the Tamil issues with integrity .... .General public should be vigilant and use their brain . Then only all of us can chase away these traitors from TN and SL .

Rohana Tuesday, 06 August 2013 05:20 AM

We thought only some western people are trying to tarnish bad image on Sri Lanka but to see now even our longtime friendly country is trying change their manners on us and making us bad name for us as Sri Lankans. We always everybody equally but this was started by the time of independence by asking 50% - 50% which unnecessary thing to any race.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 06 August 2013 09:18 AM

Anybody can ask for anything, that is their right. If somebody asks something and if we are killing them for asking, that is sheer barbarians.

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Video: Bollywood controversy over Sri Lanka war film

Comments - 16

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