Tamil actor Jayam Ravi's upcoming film Comali, landed in a controversy after its trailer was released on Saturday. The trailer featured a scene in which Jayam Ravi takes a supposed dig at Rajinikanth's political plunge. With the scene going viral on social media, Comali faced backlash from Rajinikanth fans, even triggering #BoycottComali on social media.
The makers have now decided to remove the controversial scene, before the movie releases on August 15. “Rajini sir’s fans have expressed their displeasure about that particular scene. We don’t want to lose that section of the audience,” director Pradeep Ranganathan told The Hindu.
Actor Kamal Haasan and his party Makkal Neethi Maiam also, reportedly, expressed his displeasure. Jayam Ravi also issued a statement. “... a particular substance in the trailer involving Shri Rajinikanth sir has unfortunately hurt the sentiments of a few Thalaivar fans. I would like to make it clear that the element was included in a positive light,” he wrote. He added that being a 'hardcore' Rajini fan himself, he also has been eagerly waiting to see him embark on his political journey.
In the controversial scene in the trailer, Jayam Ravi wakes up after being in a vegetative state for 16 years. When he isn’t convinced that it is 2016, Yogi Babu shows him a clip of Rajinikanth announcing his political entry. In response , Ravi says: “Who are you trying to fool? Isn’t this from 1996?” It is this reference that did not go down well with Rajini fans.
