'Right To Express Dissent Doesn't Include Preventing Screening': Madras High Court On NTK Workers Allegedly Disrupting Shows Of 'Kingdom' Movie

Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy was hearing a petition filed by SSI Production, which had bagged the Tamil Nadu theatrical rights for the movie. The production house had approached the court seeking police protection to enable peaceful and uninterrupted screening of the movie after NTK Chief Seeman alleged that the movie portrayed Tamil eelam issue in a derogatory manner and threatened to forcefully stop the screening.

The petitioner argued that the movie was a work of fiction and did not hurt the sentiments relating to Tamil eelam issue. It was also pointed out that Seeman had widely circulated the threat through print and social media and has caused fear among the theatre owners and staff. It was further submitted that some theatre owners had already expressed apprehension and reluctance to continue screening the movie due to fear of law and order disturbance.

When the matter came up for hearing today, the petitioner's counsel informed the court that the party workers had allegedly entered into theatres and disturbed the screening of the movie.

To this, the court said that if the party wanted to express their dissent to the movie, they could do so peacefully in a democracy. The court added that if aggrieved, the party could even take steps to cancel the certification of the movie. However, the court added, the party and its men could not go and prevent the movie screening.

“If they (party) want to democratically express their views, it will be allowed. Any democratic protest, you (State) can give permission. In a democracy, everyone should be allowed to express their opinion. If they are offended, they have the right to express dissent. At the same time, they cannot go and prevent screening. They can take judicial steps to cancel the certification. Everything is permitted in a democracy. Now, you're saying something wrong is said (in the movie). You can protest, but you cannot go and say that the movie should not be permitted at all,” the judge remarked orally.

The judge also remarked that there should be mutual respect and there should not be any violence preventing people from watching the movie.

The counsels sought time to get instructions on the plea and thus, the case has been adjourned to 7^th August.

Case Title: SSI Production v. The Director General of Polce and Others

Case No: WP Crl 519 of 2025