Transgenders want public apology, Shankar seeks police protection

Shankar's directorial venture ‘I’ which hit the screens on Pongal, has irked transgenders. The community in Chennai is reportedly disappointed by the way they have been portrayed in the film and hence, staged a protest in front of the office of the regional censor board yesterday.

One of the protestors, Sasha Reddy, says, "We filed a petition at the censor board office requesting them to instruct the makers to remove scenes that show us in bad light. They include a scene where a transgender stylist's room number is shown as nine, one in which the characters of Vikram and Santhanam sing the Oororam Puliyamaram song and another where the stylist is shown rubbing her hand all over the hero's chest." She adds, "What we also demand is a public apology from director Shankar, actors Vikram and Santhanam. If not, we will file a petition at the commissioner's office. Later, if needed, we will also file a case and seek legal help."

On the other hand, Filmmaker Shankar has sought police protection after the group protested in front of his house. "They have been protesting since the last two days. Since everything was out of control, Shankar sir has requested for police protection," a source close to the filmmaker told media.

Since the transgender community has planned to file a plea against the director and hold protests outside his residence, the director has been provided protection.