CONGRESSMAN FILES DEFAMATION SUIT AGAINST SIVAJI FOR TARNISHING THE IMAGE OF SONIA GANDHI AND MANMOHAN SINGH

A defamation suit seeking Rs 50 crore damages and a ban on the screening of Tamil Superstar Rajnikanth's latest blockbuster Sivaji: The Boss was filed in Madras High Court on Monday.

In his petition, M Sathiyamoorthy of the Congress contended the film was defamatory in nature, and aimed at tarnishing the image of AICC President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The film dealt with the exploitation of education system by private institutions which collected capitation fees.

Fifteen minutes into the film, hero Rajnikanth, who plays the role of a US-returned software engineer, visits the place of Adikesavan, the villain and head of a private university, who is shown standing between the laminated photographs of Ms Gandhi and Dr Singh.

By portraying the senior Congress leaders with the villain, the image of the senior party leaders was tarnished, Sathiyamoorthy contended and sought Rs 50 crore in damages and a ban on screening the film.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary, Censor Board (Chennai), actor Rajnikanth, Film Producer AVM Saravanan, Director Shankar, and TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu were cited as respondents.

The petition was likely to be taken up for hearing on Monday.

SUMAN GETS THE BEST BET FROM SIVAJI: THE BOSS, AND HE WILL BEOME THE TALK OF TOLLYWOOD IN THE DAYS TO COME

What could be a better re-launch vehicle for Suman, who is struggling to find his feet in the Telugu film industry for the last 10 years? And what a role he bagged in Sivaji: The Boss. Any villian worth his cronies would die for it. And especially if it is a Rajnikanth film, and directed by the legendary Shankar, it makes it all the more significant. Suman plays the lead villain, that of Adiseshan, the godfather of education mafia in Sivaji. And with the politicians and bureaucrats in his pockets, he makes life hell for a decent NRI, Rajnikanth, who comes to serve his country by opening up charitable hospitals and educational institutions. Definitely, Suman does not get cowed down by Rajnikanth's larger-than-life persona in the film. He does his best not to be blown away by the charisma and exudes a sly resonance while taking on Rajnikanth. He is truly astounding in the film.

Talking to a news channel, some days back, of how he got the role, Suman said, "He (Shankar) wanted someone with a screen image, perhaps that of a hero. He wanted someone with a soft face, who does not look villainish. A classy face. The main thing was the performance because this person has to perform opposite Rajinikanth."

Admittedly, Suman who hadn't played the bad guy, was nervous whether he would do justice to the role. But he says Rajinikanth encouraged him. "I was a little hesitant. But Rajini told me not to feel embarrassed and gave me a lot of support. There are scenes where his fans are going to feel bad," said Suman.

Now, on hindsight, all one can say, is Suman is bound to reap a rich harvest in terms of good roles and great money with his subtle, yet strong, performance in Sivaji. All the best Suman. You deserve it.