Vetrimaaran Shuts Down Grass Root Film Company After Bad Girl Release

Acclaimed Tamil filmmaker Vetrimaaran announced that he will shut down his production banner, Grass Root Film Company, after releasing his upcoming film Bad Girl. He made the announcement on September 1 in Chennai and explained that controversies, censorship battles, and legal hurdles made producing films extremely difficult.

Why Vetrimaaran Is Closing His Production House

At the press meet of Bad Girl, Vetrimaaran said that producing films has become far more stressful than directing. “As a director, we only focus on creativity. But as a producer, even small comments under a teaser can affect a film’s business. That creates huge pressure,” he said. He admitted that the struggles around Bad Girl and Manushi finally forced him to take this step.

The Controversy Around Bad Girl

Bad Girl, directed by Varsha Bharath, drew backlash soon after its teaser release. Critics claimed that the film promoted underage drinking and portrayed a particular community in a negative light. Director Mohan G and others strongly opposed its content. Despite these objections, the censor board gave the film a U/A 16+ certificate after a revising committee screening. Vetrimaaran clarified that the final version does not match the fears raised by critics.

The Legal Struggles of Manushi

The situation grew even tougher with Manushi, directed by Gopi Nainar and starring Andrea Jeremiah. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) denied the film a certificate. Vetrimaaran challenged the decision in court because the CBFC failed to specify which parts of the film they found objectionable. The Madras High Court praised the film for exposing the “dark underbelly of power” and ordered the CBFC to issue a certificate after the makers implemented the modifications and cuts suggested by the court.

A Big Loss for Tamil Cinema

Grass Root Film Company started its journey in 2013 with Udhayam NH4 and produced acclaimed films like Kaaka Muttai, Visaranai, Kodi, Vada Chennai, Viduthalai, and Garudan. These films earned awards and international recognition.

With Vetrimaaran stepping away from producing, Tamil cinema loses a banner that consistently backed bold, socially relevant stories. His decision shows how censorship, politics, and public outrage now challenge creative freedom more than ever.

For now, Vetrimaaran says he will continue as a director and leave behind the tough world of film production.

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