Sai Pallavi Faces Backlash Ahead of Amaran Release; her foolish comments on Indian Army draws attention

Tamil actress Sai Pallavi is under fire as the hashtag #BoycottSaiPallavi trends on social media just a day before the release of her upcoming film, Amaran

Tamil actress Sai Pallavi is under fire as the hashtag #BoycottSaiPallavi trends on social media just a day before the release of her upcoming film, Amaran. The controversy stems from an interview she gave in 2022, recently resurfaced online, sparking intense debates. In the interview, Pallavi questioned the nature of violence and compared different perspectives on it. A translated excerpt from her interview reads: “People in Pakistan think our army is a terrorist group. But for us, it is them. So, the perspective changes. I don’t understand violence.” While she intended to speak against violence, her comments on the Indian Army, as well as references to the Kashmiri Pandit genocide and a mob lynching of a Muslim driver, struck a nerve with many people. Social media reactions have been polarized.

Some users criticized her, questioning why she would play the role of Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana, co-starring Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, which will be released in 2025. Many posts called for boycotting Amaran, which features her as the lead. Supporters, however, argued that her statements were misinterpreted, emphasizing her opposition to violence rather than any disrespect toward the Indian Army. Pallavi recently visited the National War Memorial, paying tribute to the late Major Mukund Varadarajan, a character she portrays in Amaran, which celebrates his heroism. An Ashok Chakra recipient, Major Varadarajan was honored posthumously for his bravery in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir. The renewed controversy has highlighted a divide, with some condemning Pallavi’s remarks as anti-national. In contrast, others see her statements as a genuine plea against violence.