Legendary Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran, in a statement, has requested Vijay Sethupathi to opt out of his biopic 800. The actor has been facing severe backlash since the project was announced, with many Tamil groups opposing the actor’s decision to play Muralidaran’s character, who allegedly celebrated the killings of Tamils in the Sri Lankan civil war. Vijay Sethupathi has now decided to quit the project after Muralidaran’s statement.
Muttiah Muralidaran, in an explosive statement, said he is compelled to put out a statement as a lot of people are protesting against 800 in Tamil Nadu.
“I understand that Vijay Sethupathi is facing a lot of pressure from a few people. I do not want a celebrated actor like him facing trouble because of people who misunderstood me. I do not want Vijay Sethupathi to face any problem in future. Hence, I am asking him to opt out of this biopic,” Muttiah Muralidaran said. Sethupathi shared Muralidaran’s tweet, saying “Thank you and goodbye” in Tamil.
Muttiah Muralitharan, in his statement, said he is confident that his biopic will reach the audience crossing all hurdles.
“I never felt discouraged whenever I faced a problem in my life. I overcome them and that’s why I am in this position. I agreed to make a biopic on me thinking that it would help aspiring cricketers. I am sure that I will cross this hurdle. Also, I am confident that this biopic will reach you. Soon, the production house will announce updates regarding 800. I will stand by them,” his statement further read.
“I thank the press, media, politicians, film personalities, Vijay Sethupathi’s fans and people of Tamil Nadu for supporting me during these difficult times,” he further added.
Earlier, responding to the criticism, Murali had said: “I had said that in 2009 — to be the happiest day in my life, having in mind the end of the war and loss of lives on both sides. This (his remark) is being twisted as,’ The day Tamils were killed and heaped was the happiest day in my life’. I had never supported the killing of innocents and I would never do (ever).”
