Divya Sathyaraj sues actor Bayilvan Ranganathan for Rs 1 crore over defamatory remarks

Divya Sathyaraj, a functionary of the DMK's IT wing, has filed a defamation suit before the Madras High Court against actor and film critic Bayilvan Ranganathan, seeking Rs 1 crore in damages over remarks she says are false and defamatory.

The suit stems from an interview in which Divya Sathyaraj said couples should remain together out of love for one another rather than solely because they are married. She also voiced her opposition to marriages centred on religion and horoscope.

According to the suit, her father, actor Sathyaraj, posted a video on social media supporting her views after the interview. Divya Sathyaraj alleges that Ranganathan then made false and defamatory statements about her.

The suit names Ranganathan and Mohideen, proprietor of the Puthiya Sinthanai YouTube channel, as defendants, seeking the Rs 1 crore jointly from them along with 12 per cent interest from the date of filing until realisation.

She has also sought permanent and interim injunctions restraining Ranganathan from making, writing, publishing or broadcasting defamatory statements against her in the future.