Mass Protests Erupt In Tamil Nadu Against Vijay Deverakonda’s 'Kingdom'
The newly released Telugu action-thriller Kingdom, starring Vijay Deverakonda, has sparked a major political and cultural storm in Tamil Nadu, with mass protests erupting across the state on Wednesday.
The film has been accused of portraying Sri Lankan Tamil organisations and the Tamil Eelam struggle in a negative and offensive light, triggering widespread outrage among political leaders, activists, and citizens.
Stop Screening of the Film ‘Kingdom,’ which Insults Eelam Tamils!
I was deeply shocked to learn that the recently released movie Kingdom includes scenes that portray Eelam Tamils in a highly negative and criminal light. Under the guise of “freedom of expression,” no one can be… https://t.co/4bX9LFVXCU pic.twitter.com/OAy80CymUQ
— நாம் தமிழர் கட்சி | Naam Tamilar Katchi (@NaamTamilarOrg) August 4, 2025
Members of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), led by Seeman, staged widespread demonstrations outside theatres screening the film, demanding an immediate ban on its exhibition in Tamil Nadu.
Also, read| Solid, Gripping With Crazy Action: Reviewers Praise Vijay Deverakonda’s Kingdom
Seeman warned theatre owners of “direct action” if the screening continues, stating that the film “insults the legacy of Tamil resistance and distorts historical truths.”
த்தா.. எங்க இனத்துக்கு எதிரா எங்கள மீறி இங்க ஏதாவது படம் ஓடுச்சு ஸ்கிரீன்னு கிழிஞ்சிரும்டா 😎😎🔥🔥🔥🔥
நாம் தமிழரின் தரமான சம்பவம்🔥🔥🔥❤️❤️❤️#kingdom pic.twitter.com/SLtB3TkNf1
— plip plip 2.0 (@samooganidhi) August 5, 2025
Meanwhile, MDMK leader Vaiko also condemned the film, urging authorities to halt its screening and calling it a “deeply irresponsible and damaging portrayal” of Tamil groups that have long fought for their identity and rights. Several protesters were seen tearing down posters of the Kingdom movie and raising slogans against its producers and cast.
The film, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri and released on July 31, follows the story of a young Indian spy who infiltrates an island off the coast of Sri Lanka during the 1990s civil war. While the film claims to be a work of fiction “loosely inspired by true events,” critics argue that its depiction of Tamil rebel factions as violent cartels and criminals is both historically inaccurate and politically dangerous.
Read Also: Vijay Deverakonda’s ‘Kingdom’ Hits Theatres Today
The backlash against Kingdom has snowballed online as well, with hashtags like #BanKingdomMovie, #StopDistortingTamilHistory, and #BoycottKingdom trending across Tamil social media.
திருப்பூர் ஸ்ரீ திரையரங்கில் ஈழத்தமிழர்களை தவறாக சித்தரிக்கும் கிங்டம் படம் திரையிடக்கூடாதென்று கடிதம் வழங்கப்பட்டது #BanKingdomMovie #Kingdom pic.twitter.com/4hLg8eATAc
— NTK IT Wing (@_ITWingNTK) August 6, 2025
Many users have accused the filmmakers of cultural insensitivity and lack of research, especially in light of the traumatic legacy of the Sri Lankan Tamil genocide, a wound still fresh in Tamil Nadu’s collective memory.
If our emotions does not matter to you,
your emotions does not matter to us.“For every action there will be equal and opposite reaction!”
Don’t forget that you started it.. so u wanted it.#BanKingdomMovie #bankingdom pic.twitter.com/Iq0jgVDnbe
— Tamil Maindhan (@MaindhanTamil) August 5, 2025
Despite the controversy, Kingdom has been earning at the box office, with over ₹6 crore grossed in Tamil Nadu alone. However, theatre chains in several cities have begun to reconsider screenings, fearing the escalation of protests.
Kingdom stars Vijay Deverakonda as a police constable-turned-spy sent to infiltrate a Sri Lankan island during wartime. He discovers that his long-lost brother (played by Satyadev) leads a local resistance group. As the story unfolds, the film suggests a power struggle involving corrupt leaders and a prophecy about a saviour, leading to an explosive, fictionalised climax.
While the makers have marketed the film as an action-packed historical thriller, Tamil leaders argue that the real-world parallels are too sensitive to ignore.
With Netflix acquiring the post-theatrical streaming rights, calls are growing for the platform to reconsider hosting the film. Activists have also begun tagging Netflix India, demanding a review and possible takedown of the film’s content.
Despite the growing furore, the film’s producers, Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas, have yet to release an official statement addressing the controversy. Director Gowtam Tinnanuri, known for his earlier acclaimed work Jersey, has remained silent amid the mounting criticism.
