It’s not always smooth sailing for a filmmaker when a film is released. Few South Indian films face unexpected problems when they are released in theaters or platforms. Here are the movies banned or removed for various reasons. Here are five popular South Indian films that ran into trouble after being released or pulled from the screens due to controversies.
‘Vishwaroopam ‘- Kamal Haasan The spy thrillers of 2013 were highly restricted
Kamal Haasan’s ‘Vishwaroopam’ was one of the most controversial films in Tamil cinema. When the film first aired, several Muslim organizations criticized it for misrepresenting their community. The makers were forced to halt the screening in Tamil Nadu following the government ban for 15 days. The controversy also affected the film’s release in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka, which were resolved through negotiations and changes before the film’s release.
‘Intinti Annamaya ‘ – A 2013 Telugu movie that didn’t reach the masses
Directed by Raghavendra Rao, ‘Intinti Annamaya’ was ready for release with the final project, but legal and artistic issues halted its progress. A disagreement between the producer and the director of the film led to the film’s release shortly before the film’s opening. The project was shelved, unreleased for years, although commercials had already begun. The film is a classic example of how internal conflicts can prevent a finished film from being seen by the public.
‘Sita Rama ‘ – Dulquer Salmaan’s 2022 blockbuster that faced bans overseas
‘Sita Ramam,’ which was a commercial hit and a huge hit in India, has faced critical issues in some Gulf countries. The romantic drama starring Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur has reportedly been banned in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE for fear of its religious and political themes. The film did well in theaters across India, but viewers in several foreign markets missed out due to the ban.
‘Annapoorani ‘ – Nayanthara starrer removed from Netflix after controversy
Nayanthara’s ‘Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food’ ran into controversy soon after its OTT release on Netflix. Several Hindu organizations objected to images in which the leader, who is from a vegetarian family, is shown cooking meat, references to Lord Ram, and the second scene is a prayer. The film was removed from Netflix in January 2024, making it one of the few South Indian films to be removed from the platform, following several police complaints and public criticism, prompting an apology from the makers.
‘Turkey Tharkkam ‘- 2024 Malayalam the film was temporarily pulled from theaters
Malayalam movie ‘Turkish Tharkkam,’ starring Lukman Avaran and Sunny Wayne, was canceled voluntarily by the makers after a short run. Immediately after its release in November 2024, there were claims that some events had disturbed the religious sentiments of the community. The producers briefly shelved the film in theaters to avoid controversy while dealing with her anxiety.