Vijay Sethupati Exits Muthiah Muralitharan’s Biopic '800' After Heavy Backlash, Know The Complete Controversy

The spinner has released a statement requesting the actor to opt-out of the film earlier today. Read the statement here.

Image courtesy - Vijay Sethupathi, Mutiah Muralitharan (Instagram)

New Delhi: Former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s biopic is getting fiercely opposed on social media.  Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi, who agreed to play the lead role in the biopic '800', has also been facing severe criticism ever since the motion poster of '800' was launched. Netizens were highly displeased with Vijay for backing a film on Muralitharan, who has had a controversial stand over the decades-long civil war between the Sri Lanka government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), that sought a separate state for the Tamils in the Sinhalese-majority country. The spinner has released a statement requesting the actor to opt-out of the film earlier today. Muralitharan’s statement read, “I am releasing this statement since there is a lot of controversy in Tamil Nadu around my biopic 800. I am aware of the flak Vijay Sethuapthi has been receiving for signing my biopic. There are people who have a wrong understanding of my views who are behind Vijay Sethupathi. I don’t want one of the best actors in Tamil Nadu to go through this. Also, fearing the consequences Vijay Sethupathi could face for signing the film in the future, I request him to opt-out of the film.” “I have never given up when I have faced obstacles in my life. Similarly, I will overcome this obstacle. I accepted my biopic because I thought it would be an inspiration for youngsters and young aspiring cricketers. I believe we will overcome this obstacle and take this film to the audience. The makers of the film have told me they will come out with an announcement on the film soon, I would be helping them in all the ways I can. I would like to thank the press, media channels, politicians, Kollywood actors, Vijay Sethupathi fans, and Tamil people for supporting me during this time”, added the statement. Vijay Sethupathi took to his Twitter and shared the statement of the Sri Lankan bowler. While sharing the statement, the actor wrote, ‘Thank you and goodbye’.

‘800’ is a film helmed by MS Sripathy which is touted to be a moving portrayal of Muralitharan - one of cricket's most brilliant and divisive characters. Muralitharan is the only cricketer to have taken 800 wickets in Test cricket. Besides, he also picked up 534 and 13 wickets respectively in 350 ODIs and 12 T20s. Stay tuned for more updates!