Leo starring actor Vijay in the lead is a gangster action thriller that released in theaters on October 19, 2023 [Thursday]. The movie written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj is the third film of his LCU [Lokesh Cinematic Universe] franchise, and hence saw the famous Napoleon character from Karthi starrer Kaithi (2019) make an appearance in the movie. 

Napoleon played by George Maryan was a police constable in Kaithi who even before joining duty upon transfer from Tirunelveli, ends up displaying courage above his pay-grade in the 2019 film. In Leo, Napoleon is shown as a recent promote following his heroics alongside Dilli (Karthi's character in Kaithi), and is on official duty to protect Vijay and his family in Theog, Shimla.

A dialogue used by Vijay's cafe-owner-with-a-past character towards this Napoleon character has now sparked a debate online. People are not amused that Napoleon who selflessly displayed courage in Kaithi was disparaged by Parthiban/Leo Das in Leo. They also found issue with the fact that Lokesh Kanagaraj continues to include dialogues in his movies that could come across as disparaging towards the working class/blue collar workers. 

There is nothing wrong in working for food.

In fact, an overwhelming majority of working population in India is working to feed its stomach and the hunger of its near and dear ones. That's the socio-economic reality of this country.

2/5

— Siddarth K.M. (சித்தார்த் கோ.மு.) (@Sidzepp) October 22, 2023

No CEO of a corporation or an ultrawealthy industrialist ever face this situation.

For some reason, "sacrifice", "selflessness", "commitment", "obedience" are all expected only from working-class members and not the bosses.

4/5

— Siddarth K.M. (சித்தார்த் கோ.மு.) (@Sidzepp) October 22, 2023

True. He repeats the same in Pathala Pathala song in Vikram.

— Siddarth K.M. (சித்தார்த் கோ.மு.) (@Sidzepp) October 22, 2023

Cursed movie that overexploited its workers in the extreme cold of Kashmir and boasted about it

— buses, not flyovers 🧙🏾 (@abhignarigala) October 22, 2023

He got emotional and said something. Big deal. In fact hero is less god like and more human in this version. Chill

— Barking Spot (@pgboon) October 22, 2023

The exact dialogue is "thandathuku edatha adachutu sotha thinutu irukuraku pesama potti padukaye eduthutu kelamburinga" which doesn't means what you have mentioned in your write-up...watch the movie first before giving write-ups for @Dir_Lokesh bro.. https://t.co/UT3bLtarxt

— Stark Lee (@GowthamkumarM6) October 22, 2023

@MrRathna @DeerajVaidy the dialogue disturbed me when I watched all 3 times #Leo https://t.co/J7xSh5gFYF

— OHO Memes (@OhoMemes) October 22, 2023

Felt this while watching the movie.
Dialogues were very poor https://t.co/i6LUlgfo12

— Pon Perumal (@Suriya_nellai) October 22, 2023

This expectation comes from the attitude, that "im paying you, you are dependent on me for your bread and butter"

— Newbin Santhosh (@NewbinSanthosh) October 22, 2023

Lead character.

Lead character, that is what the term that should be used.

Lets normalize not using "hero/heroine" anymore. We may be the only country who uses this abhorrent terminology.

— Topazfograss (@TopazFlow) October 22, 2023

No, he just expected the cop should be there.

— aravIND (@DudeAravind) October 22, 2023

Avaaru tea dhaan da kudika poirupaaru. Paavam da avaru.
One of the worsts.
They tried to compensate for this by giving a Veera vasanam for Napoleon.
It didn't work.

— Thejas (@thejaswagiri) October 22, 2023

The intention was to make you feel uneasy and feel empathetic for Napoleon and there comes a payoff for that in the later scenes.

— 🗿 (@bothakai_) October 22, 2023

Can't agree more. Glad that you pointed this out. Such a language even uttered as a passing remark must be called out so that this is not repeated, even by mistake!

— Naveen Janardhanan (@njana290380) October 22, 2023

Cover photo la Leo photo vechuruntha, Leo pathi yaaru enga pesunaalum anga poi namma oru attendance aa podanum nu vanthuranunga. Sollirukkaradha pathi yosikkaradhe kedaiyadhu 🤡

— Siddarth K.M. (சித்தார்த் கோ.மு.) (@Sidzepp) October 22, 2023

It is worth mentioning here that because of Napoleon's popularity among the LCU fans, many who've watched the movie have noted that his character entry received the loudest cheer in theaters. Napoleon's retort to Parthiban (Vijay) received more empathy than Parthiban for his past as Leo Das as well, given the audience know where Napoleon comes from. 

Sorry but "சத்தியமா சோத்துக்காக பன்னல தம்பி" had more impact than Ellisa death#Leo pic.twitter.com/ZmvF1xYlFu

— кαι ρυℓℓα (@KPM_Offi) October 20, 2023