An initiative carried out by the Thanjavur city police in collaboration with a voluntary organisation has triggered criticism after free movie tickets to a film, produced by the DMK first family which also features pro-DMK propaganda, and fuel were distributed to motorists as part of a helmet awareness campaign.
According to officials, the programme was conducted near the Aatrupaalam roundabout in Thanjavur, where motorists wearing helmets were rewarded as part of a road safety awareness drive. As part of the initiative, around 50 two-wheeler riders were given three tickets each to the upcoming Tamil film Parasakthi, starring Sivakarthikeyan and distributed by Udhayanidhi Stalin’s son Inbanidhi who is helming Red Giant Pictures. In addition to the tickets, two litres of petrol were also distributed free of cost to the selected riders.
#Watch | தஞ்சை: ஹெல்மெட் அணிந்து வந்த வாகன ஓட்டிகளுக்கு ‘பராசக்தி’ திரைப்படத்தின் டிக்கெட்டை பரிசளித்த போலீசார்
ஹெல்மெட் அணிவதை ஊக்குவிப்பதற்காக தொண்டு நிறுவனத்துடன் இணைந்து தஞ்சை போலீசார் இது போன்ற நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொண்டு வருகின்றனர். ஒவ்வொருவருக்கும் தலா 3 டிக்கெட்டுகள்… pic.twitter.com/187YNVlSjO
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) January 9, 2026
Several commentators also pointed out that the film in question is being distributed by entities linked to the ruling DMK’s first family and argued that the campaign amounted to political promotion carried out by uniformed personnel. They contended that law enforcement agencies are mandated to enforce traffic regulations, not incentivise compliance through film promotions.
Those raising objections described the campaign as a misuse of official machinery and called for clear boundaries between law enforcement duties and political or commercial interests.
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