Why Kamal Haasan’s viral interview about Virumaandi controversy continues to be a fan favourite
Why Kamal Haasan’s viral interview about Virumaandi controversy continues to be a fan favourite
There was a period in Kamal Haasan’s career when everything he touched turned out to be a subject of controversy. While the issues surrounding his 2013 film Viswaroopam became a national sensation, Kamal went through a similar situation back in 2003 with his film Virumaandi. The issue didn’t make it to national TV, but it was big enough to make the actor release a controversial clip in which he lashed out at culture and the futile attempts to save it.
Virumandi (2004) was initially titled Sandiyar, a Tamil term that glorifies a rowdy or a goon belonging to an oppressor caste in the Southern region of Tamil Nadu. When the posters of the film were released bearing the name, Dr. K. Krishnaswamy, the leader of the pro-Dalit party, Puthiya Thamizhagam, protested against the film. He claimed that the title “valorises Thevar community and threatens to bring back the aruval (sickle) culture”. Krishnaswamy also threatened to disrupt the shooting, which was held in Theni district.
Kamal Haasan was under a lot of pressure as the state government refused to grant permission for police protection for the film shooting. At this juncture, in a video interview, Kamal, with a shaved head and thick mustache, a look from the film, lashed out at Krishnswamy and Tamil culture. After the advent of YouTube and advanced mobile phones, the video went viral.
While Kamal is mostly known as a person with confusing statements, in this particular video, the actor is lucid and unabashed in his views. He went on to name Krishnaswamy in the video and called out the absurd attempts to save Tamil culture.
He starts by calling the film Sandiyar and dramatically shuts his mouth, and says, “I shouldn’t say all that. Brother Krishnaswamy will get pissed. I thought of giving the film many other names. Wondered if I should name it Kitti Vaasal, but people fondly call him (Kirshnaswamy) Kitti. So, he will get angry about that as well. Then I thought of Arangettram, but it is my mentor Balachander’s film. He might get angry. Thought of naming it Oovaiyaar (Tamil poet), but there is no relevance to the film at all. Thought of calling it Murattu Kaalai (a popular Rajinikanth film), then Rajinikanth will get pissed. Thought of Parasakthi, Kalaingar will get pissed. I didn’t know what else to name this film.”
“Then we decided we would just name it Summa (means nothing). You see, it is very important to save Tamil culture, something that keeps changing every five years like politicians. Fifty years ago, if a widow re-marries, it was wrong. A hundred years ago, she was killed! That’s culture, and that’s what needs saving. That’s our job. Before that Janis were killed by impalement in the name of Shiva… our culture. Then Kalabhraian came and the Tamil they taught is what is in use now. The British came and taught us to wear shirts. Before that, all our women were not wearing blouses. So, what’s culture? We can’t go back to those practices. I am just confused. They talk about ‘aruval culture’. But if you see all the Gods have a weapon in their hands. How will they cut open coconuts? I am getting just absurd questions. I am not able to concentrate on filmmaking because of this. The film is ready. You decide whether it will work or not. If it doesn’t, there is no need to name it at all. If it runs, well then, let it be Sandiyar itself,” Kamal added.
In the clip, which lasts for about two and a half minutes, Kamal Haasan exhibits his anger, humor, sarcasm, and knowledge of Tamil history. To date, the video is the favourite of Kamal fans and is considered to be his best interview as it brings out his rationalist ideology. Many even claim that the actor is drunk during the particular speech, which is unconfirmed. In contrast to the politically-correct version of actor-politician Kamal Haasan we see today, the crude version of the actor continues to have many takers, which explains the relevance of the video even now.
Sandiyar was later renamed as Virumandi, the name of the film’s titular character. The film, directed by Kamal, is considered to be one of his best works. It uses the Rashomon effect to tell the story of a massacre in a village in Theni district.
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