'The Family Man 2' star Samantha Akkineni apologises for 'hurting anyone’s sentiments' due to show

South star Samantha Akkineni who recently essayed the role of a Sri Lankan Tamil liberation fighter on ‘The Family Man 2’ has now apologised for 'hurting anyone’s sentiments’ and said that she did not intend to do it. The actress added that 'a lot of the noise stopped’ post the release of the web show.

Ahead of its release in June, Manoj Bajpayee starrer ‘The Family Man 2’ received a lot of criticism and various politicians raised objections regarding the show and said it portrayed Tamilians in a negative light. The Tamil Nadu government also demanded a ban on the show and had a problem with Akkineni’s casting.

While speaking to Bollywood Hungama, Samantha Akkineni said, “I allow people to have their own opinions. If they decided to stay with that opinion, I am very sorry for hurting anyone's sentiments. I sincerely apologise as it was not something I intended on doing at all. I did not mean to hurt anyone. So, if I did, I am extremely sorry. I am glad that, though, once the show did release, a lot of the noise stopped. I guess some saw it wasn't so bad after all. For the people who didn't and still continue to hold resentment, I sincerely apologise.”

According to Indian Express, on May 19, Rajya Sabha member and MDMK leader Vaiko wrote a letter to the then Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar. He wrote, “These descriptions have hurt the sentiments of Tamil people and Tamil culture and offensive against the Tamil community. The people of Tamil Nadu are raising serious objections over such act and are protesting against the Serial.”

Even Tamil Nadu Minister T Mano Thangaraj wrote to Prakash Javadekar saying, “Branding Tamil-speaking actress Samantha as terrorist in the serial is directly an attack on the pride of Tamils living around the world and no one will tolerate this kind of motivated and mischievous campaign.”

Prior to the release of the web series, tis directors Raj and DK had released a statement, “Some assumptions and impressions have been made based on just a couple of shots in the trailer. Many of our lead cast members, as well as key members of the creative & writing team, are Tamilians. We are very cognizant of the sentiments of the Tamil people and Tamil culture and have nothing but the utmost love and respect towards our Tamil people.”

Apart from Samantha and Manoj, ’The Family Man 2’ also stars Priyamani, Sharib Hashmi, Shreya Dhanwanthary and Sunny Hinduja, Sharad Kelkar, Darshan Kumaar and Dalip Tahil among others.