Kollywood actor Arya is currently promoting his film Mr X through interviews and public events, with the worldwide theatrical release scheduled for April 17th. During one such interview, a comment he made about Sadhus in Varanasi has sparked a major controversy online.
Arya said that during the shooting of his film Naan Kadavul in Varanasi, he found the area filled with fake Sadhus. He further claimed that many of them were involved in crimes and were living there in hiding among genuine seekers.
He also added that, in his opinion, only around 60 percent of the Sadhus in Varanasi are real, while the remaining 40 percent are fake. Arya suggested that a section of them could be involved in criminal activities. His remarks quickly went viral on social media platforms.
Following this statement, several people reacted strongly and criticised Arya. Many argued that his comments were inaccurate and unfair, claiming that he was unnecessarily targeting a specific religious group without proper evidence or context.
At the same time, some individuals also attacked Arya personally, pointing out his real name, Jamshad Cethirakath, and his Muslim background. They claimed he should not comment on practices or people belonging to other religions, further intensifying the debate online.
The controversy has now grown significantly, with some Hindu organisations expressing offence over his remarks. It remains to be seen whether any formal action will be taken against Arya and whether this issue could affect the release of his upcoming film Mr X.
