Helmed by MS Sripathy, there is already so much buzz around the yet-to-be-released movie 800 on social media - a Tamil film that features Vijay Sethupathi in the lead role of the Sri Lankan spin legend, Muttiah Muralitharan. 

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Many of them expressed anger about a Tamil actor wearing the Sri Lankan flag on his jersey. 

Here’s how people on Twitter reacted to the development: 

The flag that kills thousands of Tamils, give death threats, treat the minorities as second class...what an audacity that @VijaySethuOffl is proud to bear that blood stain flag on his chest. You are a sell out.#ShameOnVijaySethupathi #BoycottVijaysethupathi pic.twitter.com/tlGIGxPJqQ

— கடாரம் வென்ற சோழன் (@TorontoPodiyan) October 13, 2020

Forget & forgive people and move forward..!! My ass..!! This guy doesn't have a spine..!! @VijaySethuOffl u will regret acting hia movie..!! #ShameOnVijaySethupathi #Tamils_Boycott_VijaySethupathi pic.twitter.com/prg3EyaKPL

— ஜ.காளிச்சரன்🩺(charan) (@kalicharanMD) October 13, 2020

#ShameOnVijaySethupathi for becoming the first thamizh actor to hold #SriLanka 's flag.
-#Tamils_Boycott_VijaySethupathi pic.twitter.com/xhZr9iv5BC

— 𝙼 𝙹 𝚁𝚒𝚢𝚊𝚣𝚞𝚛 𝚁𝚊𝚑𝚖𝚊𝚗 (@riyazur4an9) October 13, 2020

@VijaySethuOffl ?🤬

i strongly condemn #VijaySethupathi for accepting this movie#ShameOnVijaySethupathi pic.twitter.com/IYdBh0BOWb

— அதியன் கார்த்திᵀᴬᴹᴵᴸ ᴺᴬᵀᴵᴼᴺᴬᴸᴵˢᵀ (@athiyankarthi) October 14, 2020 

In many of the videos that people shared on Twitter, they brought to attention the cricketer’s unabashed statement allegedly denying the ‘genocide’ of Tamils in the clashes that ended with the government's victory in 2009.  

Muralitharan had then received flak for his statement and for expressing his support to the ruling Rajapaksa family.  

However, some of Vijay's fans also came forward to the actor’s rescue: 

#ShameOnVijaySethupathi

Are you guys lost your minds? How can he act in a role without mentioning Sri Lanka? #MuthiahMuralidaran

— ChootyMamie® (@Waranbros_inc) October 13, 2020

Total Disgrace
Tamil movie viewers
Slamming a actor for having srilankan flag on his jersey.
He is playing #MuralidaranBiopic how can he wear and srilankan jersey and have Indian flag in it.
Totally dumb people.
#ShameOnVijaySethupathi

— Alone (@aloneme98) October 13, 2020

Vijay Sethupathi is a fantastic actor who is loved even in North India, and if he is liked and admired by greats like SRK, Amitabh, Aamir, then who are you guys to stop him.
He is an actor who is doing his job i.e., to ACT. How stupid can you be ?#shameonvijaysethupathi

— Ayaan (@ayaanmusk) October 13, 2020

Give #VijaySethupathi
To tollywood.. Telugu Audience will support him.

Go get a life trollers and haters#ShameOnVijaySethupathi

— RCB Fan (@Oneando04825454) October 13, 2020

What is happening guys, why people are against VijaySethupathi.
If America makes the film about Mahatma Gandhi, then why doesn't India make Movi about Murlidharan .Vijay sethupathi one of the finest actors in tollywood
Atleast this time he need support#ShameOnVijaySethupathi pic.twitter.com/NWqui34zvn

— Pratyush Kalyan (@Alwayspratyush) October 14, 2020

#ShameOnVijaySethupathi

Definitely I will watch Vijay sethupathi movie

— dharmic boy (dalit boy) (@dhaarmicboy) October 13, 2020 

800 was announced in July, and the makers originally had plans to release the film by the end of 2020. However, owing to the COVID-19 global health crisis, the movie got stalled. 

Talking about the upcoming movie, Muttiah Muralitharan said in an interview, 

“I am honoured that an accomplished actor such as Vijay Sethupathi will be playing me in the film. I have been actively collaborating with the creative team for the past several months, and I will continue to support this project through its duration.” 

Meanwhile, Vijay Sethupathi had said, 

“I am delighted that Murali himself will be closely involved with the project and guiding me on the cricketing aspects. I am thankful to both Murali and the producers for the faith bestowed on me.” 

Don’t forget to tell us your thoughts on this in the space below. How excited are you for the film?

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