Chennai Rohini Theatre Controversy Stirs Up Discussion On Caste-Based Discrimination

Chennai’s Rohini Theatre has been under fire since Thursday for prohibiting a tribal family from entering the cinema hall. After the issue stirred up controversy, the theatre management allowed the family to watch the film. But why is untouchability and caste-based discrimination still happening in 2023? Why are we even facing a situation that requires us to discuss caste-based discrimination?

Actor Silambarasan’s Pathu Thala movie was released on March 30, and Rohini Theatre was buzzing with fans who gathered to watch the movie. The theatre staff prevented a tribal family, including women and children, from entering. The family reportedly belonged to the Narikuravar tribe.

Chennai Rohini Theatre Controversy

The viral video shows a woman and a few children being asked to leave despite having tickets for the film. The theatre staff was being outright disrespectful towards the tribal woman and children. After the video spread like wildfire, netizens began trending the hashtag #BoycottRohiniTheatre. 

After receiving severe backlash, the Rohini theatre authorities issued a statement addressing the issue. "The movie is censored U/A by the authorities, and children below the age of 12 cannot be permitted to watch any movie that is certified U/A as per the law. Our staff denied entry on the basis that the family has come along with children aged 2, 6, 8, and 10," read the statement. Eventually, the authorities allowed the family to watch the film and posted a photo of it.

This "clarification" clearly doesn’t do justice because no where in the statement did the theatre authorities express regret about the incident or apologise to the family. Apparently, they released a name-sake statement to avoid further protests by the public. But are we all blind enough to not see what really is happening?

There is no such law that prohibits children from watching U/A-certified movies. The law states that children under the age of 12 can watch U/A-certified films when accompanied by their parents. Many other families were seen entering the theatre with children younger than 2 years. Why are those families allowed entry despite bringing along babies? If this is not caste-based discrimination in plain sight, what is? 

According to an interview given by the tribal people to Nakkheeran TV, they ">claim that they have been facing discrimination at the Rohini theatre for a long time. They alleged that this particular theatre staff in the video had even physically assaulted them earlier. Apparently, they have been chased away several times and are not allowed to even look at the movie banners in the theatre.

About a century ago, the Vaikom movement took place to protest the ban imposed on a community of people from entering the Vaikom Temple. The said community was deemed "untouchable" and was not even allowed to walk on the surrounding roads. Isn't it shameful that similar discrimination is happening to a certain group of people today, in 2023?

It is heartwrenching to see one of the women from the tribal community say, "I think they despise our very presence," with a sad smile on her face. She is holding a young kid in her arms. Imagine the kind of impact this incident would have on that child! The family had brought along four children, and they have experienced caste-based discrimination at such a young age. What message is this incident leaving with the children? Should children experience discrimination just because they were born in a particular community?

Only a few people stood up for this tribal family, but the majority of people present in the theatre were just seen walking past as if this incident wasn’t happening. Shouldn’t more people have the humanity to stand up for this tribal family? We don’t need saviours with capes to save anyone here. All that is required of people is humanity and conscience. Considering that we’ve come so far as a society, isn’t it our responsibility to speak out when a social evil is resurfacing?

Suggested reading: Calls To Boycott Rohini Theatre In Chennai After Family Denied Entry: 10 Things To Know