Battles between fans of top stars of the Tamil film industry on social media have often turned ugly. Critics, reviewers and even people making random comments about these actors have become targets of vicious trolling.
Perhaps for the first time, a star has acknowledged such harassment unleashed by fan clubs- official and unofficial- and has warned them against it.
In a strongly worded statement, actor Ajith has apologised unconditionally for any hurt or harm caused by people 'misusing his name'.
A statement released by his lawyers says that the actor does not have any official page or account on any social media platforms, especially on Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter and Instagram. "However, there are a few unauthorised self-proclaimed individuals, groups and associations, passing off their personal views and opinion on social and political issues under the guise and likeness of our client, through the unauthorised use of our client's name and image."
Ajith also added that while he was thankful to his genuine fans, followers, film journalists, critics and the general public, he prefers not to have official fan clubs.
"Persons misusing our client's name have also been trolling members of the film industry, journalists, critics and other individuals. While it is important to identify such miscreants and hold them accountable, our client unconditionally apologises for any hurt or harm caused," the statement says.
The statement ends by saying that Ajith has not authorised any individual, groups, associations or social media handles to use his name and image or to make any social, political or personal views on his behalf.
In 2015, singer Chinmayi had become a target of vicious abuse by people who claimed to be Ajith fans over a meme that she had posted. Though the incident was much publicised, the actor had never spoken out on it.
Ajith's statement also comes at a time when TNM's Editor-in-chief Dhanya Rajendran had approached the police over continuous and organised abuse by people claiming to be Vijay fans. Actor Vijay too had given a statement urging his fans to respect women. Ajith's movie Vivegam is all set for release next week.