Bowing to political pressure, 'Mersal' makers decide to cut scenes on GST


Chennai, Oct 21 (Agencies): The producers of Tamil movie 'Mersal', which was released on Diwali, said on Saturday that they have decided to remove the scenes which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed to be showcasing "anti-Modi hatred".

The move comes after the BJP took objection to what it termed as "untruths" regarding the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the movie, starring popular actor Vijay, and wanted dialogues on the central taxation to be deleted.

Thenandal Studios Limited said the BJP's objection was justified from its perspective.

A scene in the movie shows a character delivering a fiery monologue in which he attacks the government's failure to provide free public healthcare despite charging a national GST of up to 28 percent.

The scene sparked an uproar among members of the ruling BJP who have called for it to be deleted from the film.

"The film producer should remove the untruths regarding GST from the film," Union minister Pon Radhakrishnan told reporters in Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu.

He said wrong information should not be spread through cinema and actors should not confuse people using the medium and try to derive political mileage.

Senior BJP leader H Raja also slammed the references to the GST in the movie in his Twitter handle and said it only exposed the lack of knowledge of economics.

Hitting out at the references, state BJP state unit president Tamilisai Sounderrajan had told reporters in Chennai on Thursday that "Incorrect references have been made in 'Mersal' about GST ... celebrities should desist from registering wrong information among people."

Fans of the popular actor should not support such incorrect references, she said and favoured removal of the dialogue referring to the central taxation, rolled out in July.

The movie directed by Atlee was released on October 18, coinciding with Diwali festival.

  

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Comment on this article

  • JAGDISH, mumbai

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    Then why Congress was gone mad and vandalized theaters when Indu Sarkar was released..There is no freedom of speech Then...!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Joy B Pinto, Belthangady

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    Whatever it is, the movie has clealry exposed hard truth of common people not of the rich. Let them introspect upon it. I really wonder he has spoken the truth n BJP of TN which has no existence there terrified for life ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • S, Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    We need to appreciate all those who oppose GST. 60+ years we have just 3% of population paying Income Taxes and running a parallel government as well as a parallel economy.

    Reservations, Minorities, Castes and notes get translated to VOTES... We should hope that future generations have a better future.

    One needs to travel and see the world to judge where we are and what we can be...
    Unfortunately it's politicized.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    I wonder if BJP have any guy who is PhD in Economics ...

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Clifford Fernandes, Toronto

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    PhD from Yale University okay ? Kal thak mil jayega.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • prem, moodbidri

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    Jossy,
    what do you think, BJP is full of only brainless bhakths? No, there are some educated people too, also people with PhD in Economics. But problem is, they are scared to give advise to FEKU.
    Nobody speaks out of fear!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    The problem is 'FEKU always blows his own Trumpet' ...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ponkra, Dubai

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    Last 65 Years in the name of PhD Economics specilist ruled and looted the money of common people and deposited to Nakali Gandhi account. GST is beneficial in long run but slaves dont understand.............

    DisAgree [4] Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • mahesh, Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    I and B ministry has already given a statement that they won't interfere with mersal as it has been passed by the censor board.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kevin, Mangalore

    Sun, Oct 22 2017

    BJP can't stand the truth. Freedom of expression is under threat in Modi's India.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • C.T. Thomas, Nandalike

    Sat, Oct 21 2017

    I think Cong should not interfere in such issues between the Govt and the state.
    Congress who once said lord ram did not exists is now going to Ram temple in Gujrat just to get votes. During floods a few days ago when people needed there leaders all congress MLA''s left gujrat and had fun in Karnataka resort.This is enuf to open our eyes'

    DisAgree [9] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithya, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 21 2017

    Now we know where is Vijay’s political ambition headed...
    And also that they are hit and run kind of ...

    DisAgree [14] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Danish, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 21 2017

    One thing is certain now, it's BJP way or the HIGHWAY. Nobody is allowed to criticize the Government. I mean if the Government can't take criticism, then they should resign, since India is a democratic Country and not some Monarchy Country.
    BJP says "Incorrect references have been made in 'Mersal' about GST ... celebrities should desist from registering wrong information among people." Really? And our own PM manipulates statistics openly everytime he delivers a speech.

    I am thinking, what if BJP was ruling USA, all anti-trump supporters would have been declared anti-national and put behind bars.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • leslie, udupi

    Sat, Oct 21 2017

    This is one of the shameful days of our great nation...
    Freedom of expression was curbed earlier too...
    But what different is this government???
    High handedness to cover your blatant blunder...???
    It is time to witness what else will be your desperate measures...

    DisAgree [5] Agree [20] Reply Report Abuse


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