CHENNAI: Despite pro-Tamil groups abroad asking people to boycott actor Vijay’s 'Vettaikaaran', the film is set for release on Friday, in over 500 screens across the world.
For Vijay, 'Vettaikaaran', in which he pairs with actor Anushka, is touted to be career-making or breaking as he has not had a hit after 'Pokkiri' in 2006. Expectations are huge among his fans as this is the actor’s first film after his announcement of entering politics in the future.
The film is being released by Sun Pictures.
Pro-Tamil groups, especially those in Switzerland and Canada, have called for the boycott owing to the actor’s meeting with Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi in September, and also because of music composer Vijay Anthony’s collaboration with Sri Lankan musician Iraj Weeraratne for a song praising the Sri Lankan army. Hate mails and posters are in circulation calling for Tamil moviegoers to boycott the film.
Interestingly, Sinhalese musician Dinesh Kanagarathinam is also singing for the film.
“These protests and boycotts have been instigated by people with business interests. This has not affected our release pattern,” Hansraj Saxena, chief operating officer, Sun Pictures, told Express.
In the State, 'Vettaikaaran' is expected to have a free run in more than 300 cinemas with no big Tamil film for competition at present.
Pro-Tamil groups in the State, such as director Seeman’s Naam Thamizhar and Pazha Nedumaran’s Tamil Nationalist Movement, have stated their unwillingness to interfere in the issue.