Episode 3 – MARUDHANAYAGAM AND THE CONTROVERSIES
In our earlier episodes, we discussed in detail about how Sujatha played a remarkable role in the conception of Kamala Haasan’s Marudhanayagam and the historic first day shoot of the film where cinema czars and political giants joined hands.
Films about Indian Independence movement are a rarity in Indian cinema. Film-makers often have to tread the path with sheer cautiousness. It’s a tightrope walk here unlike other countries where you can even make a film on the assassination of country’s president during his incumbency. But here, the deification of freedom fighters have left the film-makers in jeopardy that they find themselves answerable to infinite number of pressure groups, religious organizations, attention-seeking jingoists and finally, the censor board too. And then, the film would be painted as ‘controversial’, ‘festival film’ and what not. It was against these staggering odds Kamal Haasan embarked on making a film on a polarizing personality called Mohammed Yusuf Khan aka Marudhanayagam.
A brief look at the controversies and threats surrounding the film back then.
- Muslims even today believe Muhammed Yusuf Khan was born a Muslim contrary to the popular belief that he was born a Hindu as Marudhanayagam Pillai. A section of Muslims openly threatened that they will oppose the film by any means if he is wrongfully portrayed on screen
- Kamal Haasan has repeatedly opined in many interviews that Marudhanayagam was the foremost leader in the freedom struggle. “Even before the First War of Indian Independence (The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857) happened, Marudhanayagam was considered the most dreaded figure by the British.”
- Kamal Haasan’s infamous speech during the inaugural day shoot was opposed by a few sections in Tamil Nadu since he called Marudhanayagam a freedom fighter and that he was left in the lurch by the government
- Few historians are of the opinion that Marudhanayagam was merely a device effectively used by Nawab of Arcot and the British to suppress the local chieftains of the then Madurai district
- Thevar community were against the film since Marudhanayagam, among other leaders, also suppressed Puli Thevar who is officially recognized by our Tamil Nadu government as a freedom fighter. So, they issued stern warnings that any bad depiction of their leader, who stoutly fought against the British oppression, would create unrest in the state
The afore-mentioned points were the controversies surrounding the film 17 years back. It would be a gargantuan task for Ulaganayagan to shunt all these squabbles if at all he decides to revitalise the film now, in 2014.
Written by Surendhar MK, Design Courtesy: Akilan Nagaraj
Read the introductory episode : Re-imagining Marudhanayagam
Read Episode 1 – The Origin of Marudhanayagam
Read Episode 2 – The Historic Day
View all episodes