The recent blockbuster, Baahubali, is struggling to stay out of the news. Even as the promoters in Kerala unveiled the world’s biggest poster with a surface area of 51,598 sq ft, a theatre screening the film in Madurai was attacked with petrol bombs because a line used in the film was perceived as an insulting reference by a sub-caste of the Dalit community.
Madan Karky, who wrote the Tamil dialogues for the film, maintained that ‘it is a misunderstanding’ even while tendering an apology for unwittingly hurting the sentiments of the community. “There are many verbs and nouns in Tamil, which denote caste names. Some Tamil words have multiple meanings. For instance, Pillai could denote a child and a caste. Kallan is a Tamil word which means thief but it is also a caste name,” he said. The young lyricist said that a lot of effort was taken to avoid any reference to caste or a linguistic group. “This was the reason why we invented a new language. We never expected this,” he said.
He further added that it has become increasingly difficult to write a dialogue or discuss an idea on film without being personally attacked for it. “When a character is stating his/her point of view in the film, many consider it to be the writer’s/filmmaker’s point of view. It needn’t be so,” he said, adding, “Pagadai is a word that has never been used in any of the recent films earlier. I didn’t want to use a regular swear word. I have already spoken to the producer to mute that line.”
‘A film for the
entire family’
Thollaikkatchi will be a feel-good family film with characters that members of every family can relate to, says the hero K. Ashwin whom we know from Mankatha , Mega and Itharkuthaane Aasapaataai Balakumara .
The photo shoot for the film was organised recently. With this film, Sadiq Khan, who has worked in Ghajini and Anjaan , is making his debut as a director. Thollaikkatchi is being produced by Raja Bala Senthil for Kayalaalaya Movies.
“My character is that of a guy who is happy-go-lucky and believes in astrology. The film is about how that thinking guides him,” says Ashwin, who is currently acting in Ajith’s film in a supporting role and wrapping up work on Thiri .
Chandini Sreedharan, Lollu Sabha Jeeva, Madhumitha, Manobala and Mayilsamy are the main actors. L.V.K. Doss, who has worked in Kumki, Mynaa and Kayal , is editing the film. The music has been scored by Dharan. The shooting of the film is likely to commence next month.
Reporting by
Udhav Naig and
Deepa Ramakrishnan
