Movie debate encourages curiosity
VIJAY’S Sarkar is shattering box office records throughout the world. The movie, which has serious and relevant political innuendos, has irked the ire of certain politicians. Widespread protests ensued resulting in the tearing up of banners and posters throughout the state.
To quell the unrest, the makers of the movie have now resorted to editing the offensive parts.
Many including superstar Rajinikanth and director Selvamani have expressed their dissatisfaction, saying that this was an infringement on freedom of expression.
“What is the point of having a censor board? A censor board awards a certificate of approval and the movie goes back to be edited? Not acceptable,” echoed Rajinikanth.
Meanwhile the debate has only spurred curiosity as the movie continues to do brisk business.
Here in South Africa, where Sarkar is currently on circuit, we get to watch the uncut version. The theme of Sarkar is especially pertinent to us as we prepare for our elections next year.
Producer Nandagopal of Madras Enterprises, has been red-carded by the Nadigar Sangam – a body elected by artists and technicians to look after their interests.
Remunerations to Vishal (for Kathi Sandai), Vikram Prabu (for Veera Sivaji) and Vijay Sethupathy (for 96) are still pending.
At times, when a movie meets with financial difficulties upon its release, some artists accept to delay their payment to allow for the smooth release of the movie.
Artists are now feeling that such kindness on their part is misconstrued as a weakness and they are left waiting endlessly for payment, with the producer in question dodging any communication with them.
Nadigar Sangam has now issued a statement warning artists not to work with Nandagopal of Madras Enterprises.
Another movie with political overtones to storm the box office is Nayanthara’s Aramm 2.
The award-winning Aramm 1 garnered critical acclaim for Nayanthara’s role as a district collector and proved to be one of her biggest blockbusters of recent times.
Gopi Nainar, who debuted as a director through Aramm, was also lauded for his handling of a complex script.
Now it’s all systems go for the sequel which will see Amaranth essaying the main lead once again.
Pink the Nation Award-winning 2016 Bollywood courtroom drama that starred Amitha Bachan in the lead, received accolades for highlighting the importance of consent in a democracy.
Pink was also invited to screen at the UN headquarters in New York.
Great news for South Indian movie fans: The movie is going to be made in Tamil directed by Vinoth who gave us Taxiwala
Taxiwala.
brilliant movies like Sathuranga Vettai and Theeran Adhigaram Ondru.
Ajith Kumar will reprise the role essayed by Amitha Bachan. The tussle is on between AR Rehman and Uvan
Amar Akbar Anthony Shankar Raja for the choice of music director.
November 16 sees the release of two much-anticipated Telegu movies: Vijay Devarakonda’s Taxiwala and Ravi Teja’s Amar Akbar Anthony. Vijay’s earlier movie Geetha Govindam, directed by Parasuram, was a huge hit.
Hpwever, his next, NOTA, was a flop so the stakes are crucial for Vijay to gain some ground with Taxiwala.
He faces stiff competition from Ravi Teja as his Amar Akbar Anthony, directed by Sreenu Vaitla, also releases on the same day.
Telegu director Mahi V Raghav was all praise for Malayalam Superstar Mammooty as he wraps up the shooting of Yatra, the biopic of former Andra Pradesh Chief Minister, the late YS Rajasekhar Reddy.
Mammooty essays the role of the late chief minister. Director Mahi shares, “Mammootty isn’t just an actor but a legend who looks so simple.
“He understood the meaning of each and every word in Telugu and dubbed for his part.
“There were times he had to re-dub for perfection.
“I guess his approach to work makes him a legend. I cannot imagine any other actor other than Mammootty in the role of YS Rajasekhar Reddy.
“Working with him was not only a learning experience, but a memorable one too,” he said in an interview with Deccan Chronicle.
Lutchmanan is an educator, author and linguistic campaigner. She is also a presenter/producer at Lotus FM. You can hear her on Inisai Mazhai, Fridays from 6pm to 7pm, and The Best Of Kodambakkam, Sundays 10am to 1pm.