'Varane Avashyamund', a Malayalam-language comedy-drama, recently started streaming on a digital platform. In one of the scenes, a character played by Suresh Gopi calls his dog 'Prabhakara'. The particular reference has offended sections of Tamil viewers, who have alleged that it's a slander of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. They demanded an apology from the film's actor and producer Dulquer Salmaan.

Following the outrage, the 'Mahanati' actor has come out with an explanation. He explained the context in a long Twitter post. The 'Prabhakara' reference pertains to an old Malayalam movie titled 'Pattanapravesham', in which a character addressed Karamana Janardhanan Nair as Prabhakara.

"The joke is a reference to an older Malayalam film and is a common meme in Kerala. It is a common name in Kerala as well so it wasn’t directed at any person living or dead as our disclaimer mentions at the beginning of the film. Most people hating the film are doing so without watching it," Dulquer said.

"I apologize to all of the good and kind Tamil people who felt offended. I have never intended to offend anyone through my films or my words. It’s genuinely a misunderstanding," the 'OK Bangaram' actor added.

Dulquer's explanation has been welcomed by large sections of his fans in Tamil Nadu.

To all those who were offended. I apologise. And I also apologise on behalf of #VaraneAvashyamund and @DQsWayfarerFilm ! pic.twitter.com/erbjftlNbj

— dulquer salmaan (@dulQuer) April 26, 2020