Jr NTR's new film sparks Lord Murugan row: Why 'Born in the North' angered Tamils
The first glimpse of Jr NTR and Trivikram Srinivas’s upcoming untitled film on Lord Murugan, also known as Karthikeya, has triggered a major debate online
The first glimpse of Jr NTR and Trivikram Srinivas’s upcoming untitled film on Lord Murugan, also known as Karthikeya, has triggered a major debate online. And it's one that has moved beyond cinema into questions of mythology, cultural identity and representation. The phrase "Born in the North" used by the producer during the announcement ignited a row over Lord Murugan's origins as he is fondly called Tamil Kadavul (God of the Tamils) in the South. Read Full Story The poster hinted that Lord Murugan, or his divine spear, the Vel, could play a pivotal role in shaping Jr NTR's character arc. Producer Naga Vamsi unveiled the poster with the caption: "Born in the North. Forged in the Heartland. Worshipped in the South. Now... A tale destined to belong to the universe (sic)." The phrase “Born in the North” soon became the centre of a heated debate on X, with several Tamil users questioning the description and accusing the makers of cultural misrepresentation. For many, the issue was not simply about depicting a deity on screen, but about whether a deity deeply embedded in Tamil identity was being reinterpreted without acknowledging that cultural and historical connection.
Why the “Born in the North” line upset Tamils Several users argued that Lord Murugan is not just a deity of worship, but an important symbol of Tamil culture, language and history, often referred to as “Tamil Kadavul." They pointed to ancient Tamil traditions and literature, including references from Sangam-era texts, that associate Murugan with the Kurinji landscape - the mountainous region of ancient Tamil Nadu. Many also highlighted Murugan’s six sacred abodes, the Arupadaiveedu (six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan), all located in Tamil Nadu, as evidence of his deep cultural connection with the state. Some users accused the makers of “altering history” for cinematic purposes, calling it an example of cultural appropriation where elements of a community’s heritage are used or reshaped without sensitivity towards their original context. One user wrote, "“Stop using Lord Murugan for content if you don’t understand who He is. He’s Tamil Kadavul, not a prop for cinematic fantasies.” Another said, "“Born in North? That’s simply incorrect. Lord Muruga is revered as Tamil Kadavul, deeply rooted in Tamil culture and tradition.” Here are some reactions Why another section of users defended the makers The debate also saw another group of users arguing that Lord Murugan’s identity extends beyond Tamil Nadu and that he never had a physical birth as cited in some of the mythological texts.
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