Perumal Murugan protests use of ‘Madhorubhagan’ for film title

Making it clear that he had not given anyone the right to use the title or the story for a film, Mr. Murugan, who now leads a reclusive life, reiterated his stand that he had quit literature altogether.

A newspaper advertisement about a forthcoming film titled Madhorubhagan published in a Tamil daily evoked a protest on Monday from Tamil writer Perumal Murugan, who has disowned his novel bearing the title and quit writing following protests from some caste outfits.

Making it clear that he had not given anyone the right to use the title or the story for a film, Mr. Murugan, who now leads a reclusive life, reiterated his stand that he had quit literature altogether.

“It distresses me to see that there are many who want to turn even such a situation as mine to their advantage,” the college teacher said in a statement in a reference to his being hounded by groups that believe his novel had offended the honour of women of their caste. “I request everyone to kindly understand my feelings. I request you all with love to just let me be,” he said.

He recalled that he had apologized unconditionally for writing the work.

Historian and Mr. Perumal Murugan’s friend, A.R. Venkatachalapathy also took exception to the attempt to use his novel’s title for a film.

It was condemnable that some people were seeking to exploit the misery of a writer who had been pushed to a corner.