The attack occurred amid growing outrage over the film’s alleged misrepresentation of Kashmiri culture and political issues
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – A petrol bomb was thrown at a theatre in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district by two unidentified men early on Saturday where Sivakarthikeyan’ controversial movie Amaran was being screened.
The incident happened at the Alangaar Theatre in Melapalayam in Tirunelveli in the wee hours of Saturday amid growing outrage over the film’s alleged misrepresentation of Kashmiri culture and political issues. The hurling of the petrol bomb was also captured on CCTV and has stirred tensions in the area.
The CCTV footage shows two individuals lighting the petrol bomb and throwing it towards the theatre and fleeing the area.
Authorities are exploring various angles including potential opposition to the movie which has sparked controversy in the state.
Amaran has sparked widespread debate since its release, with activists and cultural groups accusing the filmmakers of perpetuating stereotypes about the Kashmiri community. Critics argue that the movie’s depiction of key events and characters trivialises the region’s complex sociopolitical realities.
In response, several advocacy groups have staged peaceful protests, while others have called for the film’s boycott. The controversy has also gained traction on social media, with hashtags condemning the film trending across platforms.
Last week, nearly 100 members of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) assembled outside Shanthi Theatre in Coimbatore and staged a protest demanding a ban on the screening of the movie.
The party’s Tamil Nadu secretary Kaja Hussain alleged that the movie spreads hate in the name of patriotism and portrays Muslims as anti-nationals.
On the other hand, the Tamil Nadu BJP unit called for the film to be screened in schools and colleges across the state.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions. Some have condemned the violent attack, stressing the importance of lawful protest, while others have expressed frustration over the perceived inaction against the film’s alleged misrepresentation.
Human rights activists and community leaders have called for calm, urging both sides to engage in constructive dialogue. “Violence only escalates tensions and diverts attention from the real issues,” media reports cited a representative from a Kashmiri advocacy group as saying.
The petrol bomb attack at the theatre highlights the deepening divide over the film’s portrayal of Kashmiri issues. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for responsible storytelling in media, especially when dealing with sensitive cultural and political subjects.