Vijay Sethupathi walks out of the film '800' after Muttiah Muralitharan's request

Not long ago, former Sri Lanka cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan confirmed that the popular actor Vijay Sethupathi will essay his role in his biopic named ‘800’. Even the motion poster of the film was also released with Vijay looking exactly like the legendary cricketer. However, the controversy related to Murali’s past popped up and a lot was said about the actor taking up his biopic.

Despite being a Sri Lankan Tamilian, Muralitharan had allegedly spoken in favour of government after Sri Lankan Army had killed a lot of Tamil people in 2009. For the same reason, the Tamil people were livid when Vijay Sethupathi decided to act in his biopic. Rather, #shameonVijaySethupathi was also trending on Twitter. The actor was also reportedly told that he will suffer in the film industry if he acts in this biopic.

After all the controversy over the last few days, Muttiah Muralitharan finally requested Vijay Sethupathi to walk out of the project. He felt that the actor shouldn’t face any problems in future because of him. “There should be no obstacles for Vijay Sethupathi in the future,” Murali said. And according to Kolly Buzz, Vijay has decided to walk out of the much-awaited biopic ‘800’.

#VijaySethupathi not to act in the biopic of #Muralidaran! He has walked out of the project. #800TheMovie

— Thusi (@thusi_c) October 19, 2020

Muttiah Muralitharan releases a statement

Muttiah Muralitharan has himself released an official statement in Tamil and doesn’t want the finest actor in the industry to suffer. “I am issuing this statement as there has been controversy around my biopic 800. Due to misconception, several people were pressing actor Vijay Sethupathi to drop out of 800 the film. I don’t want one of the finest actor’s in Tamil Nadu to face any kind of trouble, hence I request him to drop out of the project. There should be no obstacles for Vijay Sethupathi in the future because of this movie.

I never get tired of obstacles. I have reached this position only by facing and overcoming obstacles. I accepted this biopic because I thought the movie will inspire and provide confidence to aspiring young cricketers. I am sure that the makers will overcome these hurdles. They have promised me that they will make an announcement regarding this soon. I will stand by their decisions.

I wholeheartedly thank the press, politicians, fans of Vijay Sethupathi, and most importantly, the people of Tamil Nadu who supported me in these circumstances,” he said in a statement.

நன்றி.. வணக்கம் 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/PMCPBDEgAC

— VijaySethupathi (@VijaySethuOffl) October 19, 2020