It's the season for biopics across Indian cinema. After Sanju , Mahanati , and the two upcoming projects on the life of late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, there are now plans to launch work on a film based on the life of comedian-hero of yesteryear – Chandrababu. The film titled JP: The Legend of Chandrababu will be directed by K. Rajeshwar, who has made movies such as Seevalaperi Pandi , Kovilpatti Veeralakshmi and Amaran .
“The film will begin after zeroing in on the actor who will play Chandrababu, the comedian, the singer and dancer,” Mr. Rajeshwar told The Hindu . The film will feature songs rendered by Chandrababu in his various films.
The producer of the film is RuRo, an Indo-Russian co-production company, and the film will be dubbed in Russian as well.
“There is a demand for Indian films in Russia. But after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, not many Indian films actually get there,” P. Thangappan, one of the producers, said.
Bigger than hero
Chandrababu, son of freedom fighter Rodriguez from Thoothukudi, was so popular that he commanded a salary on a par with the hero of the film in which he acted. He got just one rupee more than what was paid to Sivaji Ganesan, the hero, for the film Sabaash Meena .
He constructed a bungalow at Santhome on 20 grounds with a facility to drive right to the second floor.
The story of the film Paava Manippu was penned by Chandrababu. He played the lead and shot 3,000 feet of film before ownership changed hands.
“Despite his multifarious talents, life was cruel to him and he spent his last days in a rented house with no money even to pay the electricity bill and for food,” said Mr. Rajeshwar, pointing out that the problem started with his decision to make the film Maadi Veetu Ezhai with MGR in the lead role.
MGR failed to turn up for the shooting, reportedly, leading to a strain in their relationship.
On this account, it is said that one day, Chandrababu visited MGR’s home, picked up a quarrel with his brother M.G. Chakrapanai and even tried to hit him with a chair.
In trouble
The incident brought the curtains down on the project and the money Chandrababu had borrowed landed him in trouble. He had even pledged his dream house.
“MGR did not hold any grudge against Chandrababu and it was explained by the fact he offered him the role of comedian in films such as Parakkum Paavai and Adimaippen ,” said Mr. Rajeshwar.
In fact, he has conceived a scene in the biopic in which MGR will have a frank exchange with Chandrababu. The scene will be followed by the song, Onnume Puriyale Ulagathiley (Nothing is comprehensible in the world)”, sung by Chandrababu in the film Kumararaja.
Chandrababu’s original name was Joseph Panimaya Matha Pitchai.
He was named after Panimaya Matha of Thoothukudi as he was believed to have been saved by the deity.
His father was arrested seven times during the freedom struggle and on occasion Chandrababu and his brothers were left at the house of Sathyamurthy under the care of none other than Kamaraj.
