Thalapathy Vijay's Mersal, directed by Atlee started facing issues before its release. The matters were focussed around the title, which was said to be registered by a different producer. By the time these problems were sorted, more issue had started to rise, in the form of the censor board. It was claimed that the team did not get a certificate for U/A when they had already announced that they had been certified. Furthermore, the film faced another case of concern, with the Animal Welfare Board of India, for the usage of animals in the movie, without an NOC.

All these issues were later sorted out, and the film released worldwide, to massive opening collections, beating Kabali's record of being the highest. Now, after the release, the film has started to face more critical issues. Apart from the fact that many politicians were not happy with a few dialogues in the movie, many doctors have protested against the film for its portrayal of doctors in a bad light.

A report suggests that many doctors have taken to social media sites to share piracy links of the film, to directly affect its collection. It is reported that leading doctors have said that they will not approach courts, as it will be giving indirect promotion to the film, but they will be asking medical practitioners and paramedical staff to boycott the movie. This sad state has emerged after a substantial number of doctors started protesting against the film, as it deals with the protagonist, Vijay, fighting against corruption and mafia in the medical industry.