Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi is set to play the role of iconic cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan in the upcoming biopic, 800.
However, the actor is facing harsh criticism for essaying the spin legend.
Within 24 hours of the release of the poster on October 13, #ShameOnVijaySethupathi started to trend on Twitter to protest Sethupathi's decision to portray the bowler from Sri Lanka, a country that oppressed Tamils.
#TamilGenocide#Murali is part of the genocide gang.
— Sabaji⏺ (@SabaTS2) October 9, 2020
Do you want be part of the gang too Mr. @VijaySethuOffl
Please stop?? https://t.co/2ib82teix7
#ShameOnVijaySethupathi
— Apruvan | Tamil Nationalist | NTK Reinforcement (@apruvannew) October 14, 2020
What if we take a bio pic of wasim Akram and an Indian actor carrying Pakistan flag , will no one question ? and says he is a actor doing his job...
Think about it @VijaySethuOffl #Tamils_Boycott_VijaySethupathi #Tamils_Boycott_Vjsethupathi pic.twitter.com/F0ZdaDEoTF
Disgrace to the Tamil Cinema Industry ??@VijaySethuOffl#ShameOnVijaySethupathi
— கோகுலன் (@tamil__gokul) October 13, 2020
The flag that kills thousands of Tamils, give death threats, treat the minorities as second class...what an audacity that @VijaySethuOffl is proud to bear that blood stain flag on his chest. You are a sell out.#ShameOnVijaySethupathi pic.twitter.com/SIxHIXEHom
— தமிழி (@southindiann) October 13, 2020
Muralitharan is very pleased with the casting.
Speaking on Star Sports’ pre-show Cricket Live, he said: "Once the script was ready, we thought the best fit for this movie is non-other than Sethupathi."
"I think he is a very talented actor and he will nail the bowling expressions," he added.
"I trust Vijay completely as he is one of the greatest actors and I have complete faith that he’ll definitely do wonders for the film."
Sethupathi said: “He (Muralitharan) is like a stamp, he makes a mark wherever he goes with his charming character and personality. I love his real-life persona, because fans have seen him in matches on the field, but very few have got a chance to know Murali sir’s personality off the field. He’s such a beautiful person and his story needs to be told.”
Also read: Biopic on cricketer Raqibul Hasan announced
The film will be made in Tamil, and dubbed in all south Indian languages, Hindi, Bangla, and Sinhalese.
The title 800 represents the 800 wickets that Muralitharan took in his two-decade long career.
The shooting is slated to start in early 2021 in Sri Lanka, UK, Australia and India.
The fast-paced and humorous biopic will be directed by MS Sripathy.
