Big Buzz/ Thalapathy Vijay starrer Leo’s Naa Ready poster altered after controversy

Thalapathy Vijay is awaiting the release of his upcoming film Leo. Coming from Lokesh Kanagaraj, who has previously delivered massive box-office hits like Vikram (2022) and the Karthi starrer Kaithi (2019), Leo is expected to make it big at the box office.

However, there have been several controversies surrounding the actioner, one of which involves Vijay smoking on one of the posters for the film. Now, the makers have opted to alter it and removed the cigarette from his hand.

3 things you need to know

• Leo is the second collaboration between Lokesh Kanagaraj and Thalapathy after Master (2021).
  The film has already surpassed Pathaan at the UK box office in advance ticket sales.
  Leo is set to release on October 19.

(Leo marks Trisha and Vijay's onscreen reunion after 15 years | Image: X)

Thalapathy’s cigarette edited out in new poster

Leo's new poster, released by Seven Screen Studio, featured Thalapathy Vijay with a firearm in his right hand, just like in the original poster. However, the actor did not have a cigarette placed between his lips, which appeared to be a result of editing. 

(Naa Ready poster featuring Thalapathy Vijay | Image: Seven Screen Studio/X)

The image, which sparked a controversy, is from the film's Naa Ready song, composed by Anirudh Ravichander

What was the Naa Ready controversy about?

After the release of Naa Ready, which has currently amassed 150 million views on YouTube, a case was filed against Vijay under the Narcotics Act for promoting tobacco and smoking in the song. After the actor got into a legal tangle for promoting tobacco in a song of his new movie Leo, makers added a smoking disclaimer to the track. The original teaser poster has also been edited.  

After facing harsh criticism, the makers have added a smoking disclaimer to the song on streaming portal YouTube. No scenes were deleted from the song. The disclaimers can only be seen in certain scenes.

(With inputs from IANS)