One of the biggest and busiest stars in the Tamil film industry, 'Makkal Selvan' Vijay Sethupathi is currently attached to a number of lucrative projects that include 'Thalapathy Vijay's Master, MS Sripathy's 800, Seenu Ramasamy's Maamanithan, S. P. Jananathan's Laabam, Venkata Krishna Roghanth's Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir, Delhi Prasad Deenadayal's Tughlaq Durbar, Vignesh Shivn's Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kaadhal, Kadaisi Vivasayi under Kaaka Muttai fame M. Manikandan's direction, Uppena in Telugu, followed by Aamir Khan's Laal Singh Chaddha in Hindi.

Among the upcoming films, his 800, a biopic on Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan, had its first look and motion poster released on Tuesday, which has since been receiving backlash on social media, with users trending the hashtag #ShameonVijaySethupathi. Social media users have claimed that Muttiah is a supporter of the Sri Lankan government which suppressed the LTTE (Liberation Tamil Tigers of Eelam), who are also accused for the genocine of Tamil people. They have expressed their displeasure at Vijay Sethupathi signing up on the project and have demanded that he not act in the film.

Produced jointly by Movie Train Motion Picture & Dar Pictures, an official statement has now been issued by the makers of 800 informing fans that the film will not belittle the struggles of Eelam Tamils. The statement from the 800 team is as follows:

"It came to our notice that our film '800", the biopic of Muttiah Muralitharan featuring Vijay Sethupathi in the lead, is being politicized in many ways. However, we want to clarify that 800 is purely a sports biography film about the legendary cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan. The film is a journey about a man who hails from the Tamil migrant community, going on to become the highest wicket taker of all time. The film does not make any political statement favouring any community. This film is intended to be an inspiration for the young generation to achieve their dreams irrespective of the difficulties they come across in their journey. We as the Producers assure that this film will not showcase any scenes that would belittle the struggles of Eelam Tamils in Sri Lanka or hurt their sentiments in any way. On a positive note the Film will engage the Tamil Film community in Sri Lanka providing the artists and technicians a platform to showcase their talents on a global stage. Art is beyond boundaries; it unites people all across. Artists belong to the world. We wish to spread only Positivity, Love and Hope."