Can political parties control what jokes are made in movies and what messages are given out by stars? The BJP seems to think so, as their Tamil Nadu leader Tamilisai Soundarajan, and others in the party, have taken offence to some scenes in Vijay’s Deepavali release, Mersal.

On Thursday, Tamilisai Soundarrajan said that the scenes related to GST and Digital India in Mersal must be removed. She further went on to accuse actor Vijay of spreading false information because he wants to enter politics.

"I haven't seen the movie, but those who saw the movie say there were factual errors in what was said. The scenes on GST and Digital India have been written in such a way so as to create a wrong impression on the minds of people," she told TNM.

But don't movie makers have the artistic freedom to crack jokes? "Yes, they do. You don't have to praise the schemes we have brought in. But to compare India with another country and that too in an incorrect way, would send the wrong message to people here. This is a political move," she alleged.