Kamal Haasan sparks row by saying 'Raja Raja Chola wasn't a Hindu king'

The controversy started at an event Vetrimaaran attended where he raised a few eyebrows saying, "Raja Raja Chozlan wasn't Hindu but they (BJP) are trying to steal our identity. They have already tried to saffronize Thiruvalluvar. We should never allow that. "

Echoing similar sentiments, Kamal Haasan said, "There was no name called 'Hindu religion' during Raja Raja Chola's period. There was Vainavam, Shaivam, and Samanam, and it was the British who coined the term Hindu since they didn't know how to refer to it collectively. It is similar to how they changed Thuthukudi into Tuticorin."

Vetrimaaran's remarks came just a day after the release of the Mani Ratnam film 'Ponniyin Selvan: 1' which is based on a fictional novel inspired by Raja Raja Chola.

While Vetrimaaran did find support from Haasan, the Bharatiya Janata Party, has slammed the director.

BJP leader H Raja has stated that Raja Raja Chola was indeed a Hindu king. He questioned Vetrimaaran - "I am not well versed with history like Vetrimaaran, but let him point out two churches and mosques built by Raja Raja Chola. He called himself Sivapadha Sekaran. Wasn't he a Hindu then?"