After the special screening of John Abraham's Madras Cafe (Tamil dubbed version), Naam Tamizar, PMK and MDMK have sought ban on the film as they alleged that the film was anti-Tamil. Sources say that the film revolves around killing of Rajiv Gandhi and the events that culminated in his assassination.

The protesters have also alleged that the film portrays LTTE members and it's leader Prabhakaran as terrorists. The film, produced by John and directed by Shoojit Sircar, will release simultaneously in Hindi and Tamil on August 23. In the film John plays the role of a RAW agent who goes on a secret mission to Jaffna.

On the other hand, John has said that he believes in the right of freedom of speech, and won't fall prey to 'bullying tactics'. "People say I am a new producer, just one-film old... But I believe somebody should bring something different. Somebody should take a stand and take up a subject like this ('Madras Cafe' and project it. These bullying tactics of groups and parties... I do not accept it," John said at a press conference.