The Tamil film Bad Girl has received great public controversy following accusations that it portrays schoolgirls in a negative light, with growing calls for a ban on the movie. Both the Nadar community and the Tamil Nadu Brahmin Association (THAMBRAAS) have submitted petitions to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, urging the government to prohibit its release, as reported in Mathrubhumi.
Adding to the controversy, the Tamil Nadu Brahmin Association has issued a legal notice to the film’s producer, acclaimed director Vetrimaaran. The association states that the film insults the Brahmin community and promotes cultural degradation.
The outrage began after the release of the film’s teaser, which critics argue depicts schoolgirls engaging in inappropriate behavior. The Nadar community, in its petition, states that the teaser portrays young girls in an extremely negative manner. They stated that Bad Girl includes scenes where schoolgirls, the lead character portrayed as a Tamil Brahmin, discuss sexuality, consume alcohol, and engage in relationships, leading to distress among parents.
The Tamil Nadu Brahmin Association’s petition further claims that the film’s protagonist is a Brahmin student who is depicted as straying onto the wrong path. The organization argues that this portrayal is deliberately insulting and could lead to ridicule of Brahmins, particularly among students. The association has called on the Tamil Nadu government to prevent the release of films that, in their view, contribute to caste-based divisions and cultural erosion.
Legal Notice Issued To Vetrimaaran
In a formal legal notice, THAMBRAAS has demanded that Vetrimaaran and all involved in the film’s production halt its release. The notice states that Bad Girl violates Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression but with reasonable restrictions.
The notice alleges that the film’s use of “Iyer Bashai” (the dialect spoken by Tamil Brahmins) and the characterization of the protagonist as an immoral schoolgirl tarnish the image of the Brahmin community worldwide. The association claims this depiction is not only offensive but also a criminal offense under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023.
“We have seen the teaser circulating on social media. It clearly depicts a Tamil Brahmin family’s daughter as immoral and characterless, indulging in behaviors that contradict cultural values,” the legal notice states. “By deliberately using Brahmin-specific dialect and imagery, the film attempts to tarnish the reputation of our community.”
THAMBRAAS has also forwarded a copy of the legal notice to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Chennai, demanding that Bad Girl be denied certification.
Legal Notice Served to Vetrimaran for the language used in the movie teaser. pic.twitter.com/Q85zVR3T7s
— Saravanaprasad Balasubramanian (Modi ka Pariwar) (@BS_Prasad) February 2, 2025
Apart from community protests, some members of the Tamil film industry have also expressed concerns over the teaser’s content. Director Mohan G previously criticized the film’s portrayal of young women, arguing that such depictions could have a negative social impact.
Bad Girl, directed by Varsha Bharath, is produced by Dravidianist director Vetrimaaran in collaboration with Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap.
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