- By Srishti Pandey
- Wed, 30 Oct 2024 03:40 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sai Pallavi, known for her powerful performances and selective film choices, now finds herself at the centre of a heated online debate. An old interview has resurfaced, sparking a backlash under the hashtag #BoycottSaiPallavi on X (formerly Twitter), with many calling for a boycott of her films. This comes just days before the release of her Tamil film Amaran, set for October 31, 2024 and as she prepares to portray the revered character of Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming adaptation of Ramayana.
The uproar originates from comments Pallavi made in an interview back in January 2022. In the clip, she discusses how perspectives vary based on national allegiance, comparing the view of the Indian Army in Pakistan to how some in India view certain groups. Translations of her remarks indicate she said, “People in Pakistan view our army as a terrorist group, just as we might see them the same way. Perspectives change. I don’t understand violence.” She referenced the violent incidents depicted in The Kashmir Files (2022) and cited an example of a Muslim driver transporting cattle who was allegedly lynched by a mob chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
Social media reactions have been swift and polarized. Critics are upset by her statements, interpreting them as equating the Indian Army with terrorists, a sentiment they consider disrespectful. Comments such as, “#BoycottSaiPallavi Indian Army & Pakistan Army – both are the same?” have trended, with some expressing discomfort that she will portray Sita in the upcoming Ramayana. Supporters, however, argue that her words have been taken out of context and that she was only encouraging empathy by highlighting different perspectives. One user remarked, “Dragging out a 2-year-old video and twisting her words shows how desperate some people are for drama.”
In response to the backlash, Pallavi recently visited the National War Memorial in New Delhi. She shared moments from her visit on Instagram, paying homage to Major Mukund Varadarajan AC (P) and Sepoy Vikram Singh SC (P). Although she expressed her deep respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation, her gesture has been received with mixed responses, with some viewing it as a sincere tribute and others as a calculated attempt at “damage control.”
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Despite the controversy, Pallavi’s career is progressing with substantial projects. She will soon be seen alongside Sivakarthikeyan in Amaran, a film produced by Kamal Haasan and directed by Rajkumar Periasamy. Additionally, her portrayal of Sita alongside Ranbir Kapoor’s Lord Rama in Ramayana is expected to be a landmark role, potentially the most significant in her career to date. Furthermore, she has a pan-India release titled Thandel, featuring her alongside Naga Chaitanya, slated for next year.
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