Kingdom Distributor Seeks Police Protection for Tamil Nadu Theatres, Moves Madras High Court

Quick Summary

• Film in Question: Tamil Nadu theatrical rights holder of Vijay deverakonda’s trilingual film Kingdom has approached the Madras High Court over alleged interference by Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) regarding its portrayal of Tamil Eelam.
• Petitioner Details: SSI Production has filed a writ petition seeking police protection for cinemas screening the movie, highlighting threats issued to some theater owners in Chennai and Coimbatore.
• Budget and Background: Kingdom was produced with a ₹130 crore budget by Sithara Entertainments,directed by national award winner Gowtam Tinnanuri,and features music composed by Anirudh Ravichander.
• Certification and Release Status: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) certified the movie on July 30, 2025. It is indeed being screened in Tamil, telugu, and Hindi. NTK leader S. Seeman raised objections on August 4 via a social media post.
• Legal Argument: The petitioner cited Supreme Court judgments affirming that political entities cannot prevent films cleared by CBFC from screening. They stated it infringes upon essential rights like freedom of speech.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The legal dispute surrounding Kingdom highlights recurring tensions between creative expression and political sensitivities in India’s entertainment sector. Such cases frequently enough raise broader questions about free speech versus societal concerns tied to historical or cultural narratives like Tamil Eelam.

Objectively speaking, the approval granted by CBFC underlines adherence to statutory protocols governing public exhibition standards for films. Disruptions following certification risk undermining constitutional freedoms if not addressed lawfully-notably when Supreme Court precedent reinforces CBFC’s authority.

This situation may have practical implications for cinema operators already concerned about safety amidst conflicting pressures from activist groups versus audiences anticipating blockbuster releases. Resolving such matters swiftly within judicial frameworks remains vital to balance creative liberties with community sensibilities moving forward.

Read more at The Hindu.