Tamil Actor Ranjith DEFENDS Honour Killing, Says 'It's Parents Care', Netizens Demand Arrest | Watch

Actor Ranjith, known for his work in Tamil and Malayalam films since the early ’90s, made a startling statement defending honour killing. Speaking to the press after a screening of his latest film, Kavundampalayam, in Salem, Tamil Nadu, on August 9, he claimed that ‘caste-based honour killing isn’t violence’.

According to India Today, Ranjith claimed that caste-based honour killing isn’t violence but a way for parents to show love. He defended the act by saying, “Only parents know the pain. If a bike gets stolen, won’t we go see what has happened? Those parents for whom life is all about their children get angry and show it. It is not violence; it’s just their care for them.”

This isn’t the first time Ranjith has made controversial comments. He’s previously commented on ‘women who wear short clothes’ and ‘dance in public’. His film Kavundampalayam also explores sensitive topics like caste-based violence and parental control. The trailer features a provocative line: “Mannula vivasayam pannardhu mukkiyam illa,ponnula la vivasayam pannanum (It’s not important to do farming in our lands, we’ve to impregnate women).”

One comment drew parallels between him and his reel-life characters. It read, “So he literally did not act in movies. He is basically that character.” Another comment read, “Ranjith, you’ve crossed a line. Honor killing is not love, it’s barbarism. Your words are not just ignorant, they’re dangerous. This isn’t just a ‘parent’s way,’ it’s murder. You’re not just wrong, you’re promoting a toxic mindset that has no place in our society.” “This guy needs to be behind the bars saying this . He is supporting killing,” read a third comment.