Tamil films, of late, have been making references to contemporary political events, such as demonetisation, politicians meditating at memorials and protests. A few, such as actor Vijay’s Mersal , criticised the Goods and Services Tax, resulting in a strong backlash from leaders of the BJP’s State unit.
Following this trend, a movie is being made on the historic jallikattu protests, which saw the participation of more than 10 lakh people from across the State in January last year.
Filmmaker M.S. Raj’s Marina Puratchi says the film’s concept and idea is inspired by Left wing activist and American documentary filmmaker Michael Moore’s works such as Fahrenheit 9/11 , based on the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on the twin towers in New York.
“Michael Moore’s film provided a new perspective on the September 11 attacks. This too tries to go beyond what meets the eye,” he says.
Elaborating on the importance of the the jallikattu protests, Mr. Raj says, “So many people participated in the protests. The intention of this film is to stand out as a document for those writing about the protests in future.”
Mr. Raj says the narrative about jallikattu protests revolved primarily about the PETA (People for Ethical Treatment for Animals) as an organisation and how its policies and campaigns posed a threat to the continuity and survival of native cows and bulls.
Sinister designs
“The film is about how a bunch of 18 Tamil youths outwitted the State apparatus and mobilised people for the protests.
The real reason for a ban appears to have many more sinister designs than being a threat to ‘native cows and bulls’,” he says.
What are these designs? “You will have to watch the film.” Mr. Raj says “30 % of the film will have real footage.”
The filmmaker promises to document in cinema about what happened on the final day when the police started clearing the crowds, resulting in major violence on the Marina beach.
