It is not always easy to navigate for the filmmaker when the film is released. Very few South Indian films face unexpected problems when they release in theaters or on streaming platforms. Here are some movies banned or pulled for various reasons. Here are five popular South Indian films that ran into trouble after their release or were pulled from screens due to controversy.
‘Vishwaroopam ‘- Kamal Haasan The 2013 spy thriller faced a major ban
Kamal Haasan’s ‘Vishwaroopam’ was one of the most controversial films in Tamil cinema. When the film was released, several Muslim organizations condemned it for misrepresenting their community. Makers were forced to postpone screenings in Tamil Nadu following the 15-day ban by the state government. The controversy also affected the film’s release in countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, which was eventually resolved through negotiations and edits before the film hit the screens.
‘Annamaya nodded ‘ – 2013 Telugu film that never made it to the public
Directed by Raghavendra Rao, ‘Intinti Annamaya’ was ready for theatrical release with production work completed, but legal and creative challenges stalled its progress. Disagreements between the producer and the director led to the discontinuation of the film’s release just before its scheduled opening. The project was shelved, unpublished for years, although promotional activities had already begun. The film is a classic example of how internal disputes can prevent a finished film from being seen by the public.
‘Sita Rama ‘ – Dulquer Salmaan’s 2022 blockbuster that faced overseas bans
‘Sita Ramam’, which was a huge commercial and critical success in India, has faced censorship issues in some of the Gulf countries. The romantic drama starring Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur was reportedly banned in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE due to fears over its religious and geopolitical themes. The film did well in theaters across India, but viewers in several overseas markets were lost due to restrictions.
‘in Annapooran ‘ – The Nayanthara starrer was removed from Netflix following the backlash
Nayanthara’s ‘Annapoorani: The Goddess of Food’ faced controversy soon after its OTT release on Netflix. Several Hindu organizations objected to scenes where the main character, who belongs to a vegetarian family, is shown cooking meat, references to Lord Ram and a second scene with namaz. The film was subsequently pulled from Netflix in January 2024, becoming one of the few South Indian films to be pulled from a streaming platform, following several police complaints and public criticism, leading the producers to issue an apology.
‘Turkish Tharkkam ‘- 2024 malayalam film temporarily withdrawn from cinemas
Malayalam film ‘Turkish Tharkkam’ starring Lukman Avaran and Sunny Wayne was voluntarily withdrawn by its makers after a short theatrical run. Shortly after its release in November 2024, allegations surfaced that certain scenes had hurt the religious sentiments of a community. The producers briefly pulled the film from theaters to avoid controversy while they addressed the concerns.