Facing allegations of being anti Tamil John Abraham starrer ‘Madras Cafe’ has come under political storm..

Vaiko's MDMK has sought a ban on the film, scheduled to be released this Friday. The Centre should ban the film... if screened, human rights organizations should protest against it in cities like Mumbai, MDMK leader Vaiko said in a statement. He also requested Tamil Nadu government to ban the film and asked theatre owners not to screen it.

Set in the late 80s and early 90s in India and Sri Lanka, Madras Cafe traces the political and military histories of the neighbors and covers the Research and Analysis Wing and Lankan rebel group LTTE's activities through the eye of an agent, played by John who is also one of the co-producers.

According to reports in some section of the media a couple of days ago the film was shown to select activists of pro Tamil outfits and after that the objection started rising..according to Seeman, founder of 'Naaam Thamizhar Katchi (We Tamils Party)the movie creates enmity between Tamils and Malayalees as everyone shown as good is a Malayalee and almost all Tamils are characterised as villains. He has further alleged that the film made one feel it was financially supported by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Seeman has also requested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to intervene and seek a ban on the film by the Centre.

DMK chief Karunanidhi has also responded to this and asked Jayalalitha to take ‘proper action’ Karunanidhi has been quoted saying, I have not watched this film. It is being said the film has been produced (made) in a way (that is) insulting to the Eelam Tamil fighters (LTTE). It would be proper only if state government ascertains whether this information is true and then takes appropriate action,

It all started when the promos of the film got aired and pro-Tamil outfits like the Naam Tamizhar Katchi besides Pattali Makkal Katchi alleging that the film was anti-Tamil.

Now it has swelled to a level of a ban being demanded on the movie.. any ways the makers are upbeat and hoping a safe release of the film.. director Shoojit has actually rubbished reports of ban order on Madras Café and is shocked and surprised to hear that the film was screened on Sunday for pro-Tamil political outfits, he claims that people are protesting without seeing the film and they haven,t shown the film to any outfit as such.

John Abraham the lead actor and co - producer is sad over the controversy and rubbished it as a publicity gimmick.. he has been quoted saying, I don't think we made this film to create controversies. That has never been our marketing tool. So we are very disappointed that all this is happening so close to the release.

Madras Cafe starring John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri who plays a war correspondent also marks the debut of actress Rashi Khanna. The film has hit the controversy button for its alleged portrayal of LTTE in bad light.