Brigand Veerappan’s daughter makes film debut
Vijaya Lakshmi holding gun reminds everyone of her late father
Vijayalakshmi, younger daughter of slain forest brigand and notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan, is foraying into tinsel town with the film Maaveeran Pillai.
The first look of the film created a huge buzz. It shows Vijayalakshmi dressed in the type of gear her father wore, and holding a gun on her shoulders (Veerappan’s famous pose).
K.N.R. Raja, who also plays the lead role, directs the movie.
A few films such as Vana Yuddham have already been brought out, based on Veerappan’s life.
Dispelling speculation that the film is based on caste politics, Vijayalakshmi told DC that Maaveeran Pillai has a socially relevant theme.
“There are misconceptions that the movie is about caste discrimination. It is not! The story deals with women’s safety, topical farmers issues, prohibition and other such problems. We have also shot at the ongoing farmers protest at Delhi,” she revealed.
Asked about dressing to look like her father, she said, “I am fond of my father and that’s the only reason they wanted to make a poster with that outfit. The film has nothing to do with my father’s life. I play a lawyer in a rural area who helps the local uneducated women in distress. loved the script when Raja narrated it. And that was why I decided to sign on.”
Reacting to a query whether there was any truth in reports that a huge cache of money had been buried in the forests where Veerappan lived, she said with a smile, “It may be true! I don’t know where in the vast forest he buried the money. In any case, after demonetisation, those notes will have no value.”
The brigand is survived by two daughters. The elder, Vidya Rani, recently joined the BJP. Vijayalakshmi was also reportedly attached to a political outfit.