Jai Bhim Controversy: Prakash Raj Finally REACTS To Slapping Scene; Says ‘People Did Not Feel Terrible About The Injustice, This Exposes Their Agenda’

Actor Prakash Raj has finally reacted to the controversy surrounding the slapping scene in the critically acclaimed Tamil film Jai Bhim. For the unversed, Raj was slammed by a certain section of people for slapping a man for speaking in Hindi in the recently released movie Jai Bhim. This particular scene did not go down well with some netizens who felt that the scene was against Hindi-speaking people. Now, Prakash has broken his silence on the same and asserted that those who have a problem with the scene have exposed their agenda.

Taking to Twitter, the 56-year-old actor shared the link of an interview he had given to a news channel, addressing the controversy and wrote, “Opened up on the slapping controversy of #JaiBheem and more. Do spend a few minutes to read and share … keep supporting relevant cinema … love you all #JaiBheem.” 

While speaking to News9live, Prakash Raj said, “After watching a film like Jai Bhim, they did not see the agony of the tribal people, they did not see and feel terrible about the injustice, they saw only the slap. That is all they understood; this exposes their agenda. That said, certain things have to be documented.” 

Explaining that slap scene, Prakash added, “For example, the anger of South Indians on Hindi being forced on them. How else will a police officer who is investigating a case react when he knows that a person who knows the local language chooses to speak in Hindi to dodge questioning? That has to be documented, right? The film is set in the 1990s. If that character had Hindi imposed on him, he would have reacted this way only. Probably if it came across as more intense, it is also because that is my thought too, and I stand by that thought.”

The Wanted actor further mentioned that he feels there is no point in reacting to such controversies. “For some, the slap scene irked because it was Prakash Raj on screen. They appear more naked than me now, because their intent has been revealed. If the pain of the tribal people did not move them, then, all I say is: Unakku avvalavuthaan purinjudhaa da, nee thaana avan? (Is that all you understood? Are you that person?) There's no point reacting to such bigots,” he was further quoted saying.

On a related note, Jai Bhim, which highlights the police brutality and caste injustice meted out to the members of the Irular tribe, was released on Amazon Prime Video on November 2.  Also Read: Jai Bhim: Prakash Raj Lands Himself Into Trouble After A Video Of Him Slapping A Man For Speaking 'HINDI' In The Tamil Film Goes Viral