In the midst of outrage faced by Ilaiyaraaja over his comparison of PM Modi with Ambedkar, popular Tamil director Bhagyaraj has on Wednesday taken a similar turn of praising Modi, only to witness heated condemnations from the activists and the political leaders across Tamil Nadu. While praising Modi, he had made defaming remarks against the people who criticize Modi. Later, as his remarks had put him on fire, he has rendered an apology. 

Bhagyaraj visited the Tamil Nadu BJP headquarters 'Kamalalayam' in Chennai on Wednesday - April 20 to receive a book on Prime Minister Modi. The event was attended by Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai and amidst several senior leaders, Bhagyaraj had received the book. While addressing the event, the prominent director has said he likes the energy of Prime Minister Modi and there is a need for a person like Modi. 

Besides running a show of praise to PM Modi, Bhagyaraj has turned heads through his remarks where he said that the critics of Modi are born prematurely and that their eyes and ears weren't fully developed. In what appeared to be a well-prepared speech, Bhagyaraj said, "I am offering a small tip to Modi, that is those who are criticising you (Modi), consider them as they have born prematurely and they were born in three months. Why I see in three months is because the baby's mouth will form during the fourth month of pregnancy while ears develop during the fifth month." 

He further said, "This is why these people won't speak anything positive and even if something positive is told to them, they won't hear it. So, we have to consider that those who criticise don't have their ears or mouths developed. No need to worry about them." As he hailed PM Modi, the hall went with more applause while the director's speech had sparked resentment outside. Besides backing Modi, Bhagyaraj had also praised Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai. 

The director said, "When Annamalai was appointed, I don't know who he was and then I came to know that he was in the police force. I then learnt that he had gained a name for himself in Karnataka, which is a big deal." Bhagyaraj's comments had attracted major attention and a sea of people had slammed the director for his defaming remark about the critics of PM Modi and his speech has become the talk of the town amid a row spurred by legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja. 

As Bhagyaraj has faced a controversial reception for his remarks across Tamil Nadu with the people with disabilities expressing displeasure against him for his comments about premature birth with improper facial organs, the director has issued a video message, hours after attending the BJP event, in which he had claimed that he is not a BJP person and he had issued an apology for his remarks. 

In a video message that has been going viral, Bhagyaraj said, "When I learnt that my remark of 'premature birth' during today's event had created a wrong message, I was shocked. I am always seeing disabled people with more responsibility and if my comments had hurt anyone, I apologize to them." He further said, "Furthermore, I am not a BJP person. I was born in Tamil Nadu, studied in Tamil, and entered Tamil cinema. The Tamil language is winning bread for me." 

"My heart is filled with Tamil leaders and the ideologies of the Dravidian leaders like Kalaignar, MGR, and Jeeva and if you see my movies, they will be based on their ideologies and apart from these, I have nothing in my heart and I am with this mind and it will continue till my end. It's the fact", Bhagyaraj added.