Tamil film industry takes pride in claiming that it had ‘contributed’ five Chief Ministers to Tamil Nadu, Arignar Anna, Kalaignar, MGR, Janaki Ramachandran and Jayalalitha, of course for Anna and Kalaignar it was not a full-time profession unlike the other three.
But, certain disturbing developments during this year in this regime of the former full-time film actress betray not only the invalidity of this claim now, but also total lack of unity and courage in Tamil film industry to raise up against efforts to muzzle their freedom of art and expression. In the beginning of this year it was Kalaignani Kamalhaasan’s movie ‘Viswaroopam’ that faced problem in its release and the State government banned its screening following protests from some religious outfits. But the real reason for the action was said to be that the producers were reluctant to sell the rights of the film to a television channel owned by the powers-that-be for a meagre amount. Moreover, Kalaignar exposed the contents of a letter the present CM wrote to the former Chief Minister MGR which revealed her long-standing grudge against Kamalhaasan.
However, there were immediate protests against the State government’s ban in the media and social media all over the world and the High Court also intervened in the issue and finally the issue was resolved amicably. The world wide protests against her moves forced Chief Minister Jayalalitha to address the second press meet after she assumed office on May 16, 2011 to ‘clarify her position’ in the issue. Even then except that some senior artists and directors of Tamil film industry called on Kamalhaasan and expressed their solidarity with him, there was not even a whisper of protests from the various associations of actors and others in the industry, obviously in fear of the present regime.
But now what has happened to the film of ‘Ilayathalapathi’ Vijay-starrer “Thalaivaa’ is completely perplexing. Till date, nobody knows for sure as to why the film was not released on the due date of August 9, why theatre owners were ‘afraid’ of screening the movie etc., First it was reported that some theatres received anonymous letter of bomb threat if it was screened and the police refusing to give protection.
The ADMK government threw up its hands and said that it could not provide protection for the screenings, which effectively forced a ban on the movie. Meanwhile, Thalaivaa opened in the rest of India and the world on schedule. Conspiracy theories swirled around on the Internet about the real reasons behind Thalaivaa’s no-show, including the political ambitions of Vijay’s father, producer S.A. Chandrasekhar, which allegedly angered the Jayalalitha. Vijay, on his part, tried to stay as non-partisan as possible, pleading with the State government to allow his producers and financers to recover their investment.
The film was also not given tax exemption by the State government. Actor Vijay, his father and veteran director S.A.Chadrasekhar, producer and director of the film Chandraprakash Jain and A.L.Vijay respectively went all the way to Kodanad to meet the Chief Minister and plead for her help to get the film released. After all, the father and son had meticulously worked for Jayalalitha’s victory in the Assembly elections in 2011 and their rapport with her was so deep that the actor’s mother looked after the household of her in Poes Garden residence during the period of Sasikala’s absence there. But to their dismay, their vehicle was stopped at the check post on the route to Kodanad mansion where she was staying and returned back.
As the disheartened actor returned to Chennai, the DGP, unusually in this regime, issued a statement disowning any role or responsibility for the police in the non-release of the film. Vijay issued a statement placating Jayalalitha and hailing her to the skies and pleaded her help to get his film released. But it was of no avail. Then he issued a video recorded plea to her of course hailing her administrative ability etc., The producer of the film issued a pathetic statement stating that if the film is not released he and his family will have to come to the street. Even as pirated DVDs and torrents of the controversy-ridden ‘Thalaivaa’ are increasingly flooding Tamil Nadu, the film’s distraught producer Chandraprakash Jain said “I will be brought to the streets with my family”, if the film didn’t release this weekend. Reiterating that he had invested most of his money in the Vijay-starrer, the producer said that he was “losing crores of rupees” as the film’s release in Tamil Nadu was getting delayed.
Members of Vijay’s fan clubs were actively rifling through pirated movie markets and reporting vendors selling pirated rips of Thalaivaa. “The police and my fans have been very helpful in this matter. But things will be very bad for us if everyone watches this film online or on a pirated disc. I have never said that my films have been extraordinary or will do well. But this time, I am openly saying that this film is one that everyone will love. So please be patient and watch it when it releases in the next few days,” appealed the actor, in a video statement. The sight of a tearful Vijay, literally begging for help, moved his hapless fans. “We were unable to stop the film’s release in other countries and other states, that’s why it has released there. But for us Tamil Nadu is very important and the entire crew is upset and worried. We’re all wondering every morning if our film will release that day,” said Vijay, in the recorded statement. The film has been doing well overseas and was sold for a record amount in TN, as it was set to release on over 550 screens. Both Vijay and Jain stressed that they were anxiously awaiting an appointment with the CM to seek her help in this matter, “She is everything for Tamil Nadu and if she interferes in this matter and helps us release our film, then we will be eternally grateful,” said Jain, who broke down at this point. The film was believed to have been made on a budget of over Rs.60 crore. The film’s director AL Vijay clarified that Sathyaraj’s character (called Anna in the film) bore that name because that’s what “most Tamilians in Mumbai are called”. He insisted that it had no political subtext, nor was it based on any real character
But even these efforts did not yield result and there was no sign of the film release.
As there were no other avenues left for them to plead for mercy of the Chief Minister after various failed attempts, including one to meet the Chief Minister, to enable the film’s release, on August 16, the producer, director and music composer of Thalaivaa approached the police commissioner for permission to conduct a one-day token fast.
Producer Chandraprakash Jain, director A.L. Vijay and music director G.V. Prakash arrived with a written petition at the commissionerate in Egmore to meet Commissioner S. George. They were redirected to Additional Commissioner (Central Crime Branch) R.S. Nallasivam who accepted the petition. The letter said the movie’s lead actors Vijay, Amala Paul and Sathyaraj, and others along with the crew would stage a one-day token fast on August 16 or 17 at a location permitted by the city police. But the request was turned down later the same day.
At last it was announced that the film will be screened on August 20. Vijay immediately issued a statement thanking the CM for helping to release the film breaking all obstacles. But he did not say what were the obstacles and who created it. But the conditions on which it was permitted to be screened exposed who was behind the whole affair. The film producer, director and actor agreed to remove the line “Time to lead” appearing along with ‘Thalaivaa’ in the title of the film. It was also agreed to mute some dialogues in the film like “jäœeh£L muÁaY¡F Ú jahuh»é£lhŒ” (You have prepared yourself for Tamil Nadu politics) the characters converse which imply that Vijay is ready to take over the mantle of power in the State. Now with this explicit cuts in the title and dialogues, the cat was out of the bag. The present ruler of the State could not stomach a challenge to her position as if it is life-long. Already, the actor, who has a sizeable fan following, was under pressure to cancel his usual birthday celebrations in a grand manner along with his fans when they raised slogans hailing him as the future chief minister.
When Kalaignar was the Chief Minister of the DMK government, in 1997 the film ‘Iruvar’ produced and directed by Mani Ratnam portrayed the villain Chief Minister character exactly resembling and speaking like him and caused some unrest among party cadre. But Kalaignar, the epitome of an endowed artist committed to democratic values, dismissed demands for banning the movie. That showed not only the artistic value in him but much more his confidence in his capacity unlike the present incumbent in power who feels shaky in her seat at the mildest criticism.
As even such leading actor had to face so much trouble, the rest in Kollywood feel insecure and hence seem to have started adopting a new tactics to get guarantee for the smooth release of their films. The posters put up for the release of a new film ‘Kalavaram’ portray in one half of it the still of the film and details and the other half shows a huge photograph of Chief Minister Jayalalitha with the wordings “ghujnk ghuh£L»wJ. cyfnk ghuh£l ϪÂahΡF têfh£l thU§fŸ m«kh” (The whole of India hails you. For the entire world to hail you, come to lead India, Amma)
It was shameful that so many associations and unions of actors, directors, producers, technicians et al of Tamil film industry and individual actors who speak and perform heroics on the screen did not make even a whisper against the unethical and, in fact, illegal attempt to stall the release of the film. Of course, Vijay and his father did not come out in solidarity with Kamal when he was in trouble is a different matter. If this could happen to these two films what will be the guarantee for the release of any film in the State if the powers-that-be are displeased with somebody associated with the movies? Much more shameful is the role of media in Tamil Nadu which did not display courage to bring out the obvious truth behind the trouble encountered by this film. What is happening in Tamil Nadu? Everyone knows what is happening but no one has the guts to speak it out. This is exactly the situation that exists under authoritarian regime which the nation experienced in 1975-76 under National Emergency.
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