Vijay's Mersal breaks opening day BO record amid GST row

Bengaluru: Bollywood becoming the target of politicians and social reformers, is the thing of the past as Tollywood these days is hogging all the limelight. Latest to face the ire is Tamil film Mersal, whose dialogue criticizing the Centre's GST regime has bothered Bharatiya Janata Party.

Mersal, starring actor Vijay, has become the hottest topic on internet since its release. The film revolves around the story of Vetri and Maaran, who fight against medical mafia.

In one of the scenes, Vijay said that Singapore has a GST of 7 per cent and yet provide free medical services, whereas in India, people pay 12 per cent GST for medicine, while there's no GST for alcohol.

Tamil Nadu BJP's president Tamilisai Soundrajan objected to scenes and demanded a cut. He also slammed superstar Vijay for depicting the scene in the film.

Mersal, however, got a huge support from the fans of Vijay and also thanked BJP for promoting the film 'free of cost'.

Here's is how people reacted to BJP's objection:

https://twitter.com/Dhananjayang/status/921590474065903616

https://twitter.com/imKBRshanthnu/status/921641213849083904

https://twitter.com/dhayaalagiri/status/921670245177163778

Meanwhile, the film also covered the power outrage at a hospital in Pondicherry and recent Gorakhpur hospital tragedy in which over 70 children died due to lack of oxygen supply.

Directed by Atlee, Mersal had a record-breaking opening on its first day and collected over Rs 43.3 crore.

Other south stars who faced the similar criticism for their freedom of speech are:

Prakash Raj on journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder

AR Rahman on Gauri Lankesh's murder

Rajinikanth On Cauvery Issue

Sathyaraj On Cauvery Issue

Taapsee Pannu On K Raghavendra Rao