Veteran actor-director Ranjith, known for his roles in Tamil and Malayalam cinema since the early 1990s, has ignited a firestorm of controversy with recent comments defending honour killings. The remarks were made during a press interaction on August 9, following a screening of his latest directorial venture, Kavundampalayam, in Salem.
In a statement that has shocked many, Ranjith claimed that caste-based honour killing is not an act of violence but rather a reflection of parental love for their children. “Only parents know the pain,” Ranjith stated, according to a report by India Today. He went on to compare the act to a parent’s reaction when a bike is stolen, suggesting that just as one would investigate the theft of a bike, parents whose lives revolve around their children might express their anger in similar ways. “It is not violence; it’s just their care for them,” Ranjith added.
This is not the first time Ranjith has made headlines for controversial remarks. Previously, he has been criticized for comments about women’s attire and behavior, particularly regarding women who “wear short clothes” and “dance in front of everybody.”
His film Kavundampalayam has also drawn attention for its provocative themes, including caste-based violence and parental control over children. The film’s trailer includes a line that has sparked further outrage: “Mannula vivasayam pannardhu mukkiyam illa, ponnula la vivasayam pannanum” (It’s not important to do farming in our lands, we’ve to impregnate women).’
The actor’s comments have sparked a strong backlash online. Many users took to social media to express their outrage, with one person commenting on X (formerly Twitter), “So he literally did not act in movies. He is basically that character.” Others condemned his remarks as promoting a “toxic mindset” that has no place in modern society.
“This isn’t just a ‘parent’s way,’ it’s murder,” one user wrote. The incident has raised significant concerns about the influence of regressive views in media and their impact on society.