Kamal Haasan will not rename his upcoming film remake of Devar Magan. In conversation with a news anchor, Kamal said that he used the title as Devar Magan 2, in order to make sure that the public understood. “I said Devar Magan 2 because I wanted to make sure that the people got it. It is not my title. It is just for reference.”
Political leader Dr Krishnaswamy came out in protest against the title earlier this month and said that the title would offend the oppressed castes in South India. He suggested that Kamal could use the title Devendirar Magan instead. When asked if he would consider a change in the title, Kamal replied: “I won’t entertain this. Maybe this title is accurate for his story. But for my story, it is not apt. So I won’t be using it.”
The actor said that he could very well not call it a remake of the tenth production of Raajkamal Films.
The actor went on to add that Krishnaswamy was hoping to make an issue out of the films title. “He wants to pick up where he left off when he protested against Sandiyar. He does not have a ticket on this bus,”Kamal added.
A spokesperson for Rajkamal Films also reiterated Kamal ‘s stance on the issue. “There’s no plan right now and never will be to rename a film. This is a creative decision and will remain one. We will not be calling it Devar Magan 2. That title was used in order to make sure that the audience realised what film it was. The real title will be unveiled later, and the title will be chosen keeping in mind the ideology of Kamal Haasan.”
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Since the announcement of the film, there have been criticism over its title. Political leaders feel that a leading star acting in a film whose title links to a dominant caste group in TN could be problematic, especially in the wake of a rise in reports about caste based violence in the State.
Devar Magan, directed by Bharathan, had Sivaji Ganesan, Kamal Haasan, Revathy, Gauthami in lead roles. The film followed the son of the local chieftain, belonging to the dominant caste group – Thevars, who returns to his village after completing his education abroad. The film was cited by one scholar as the movie that kick-started an era of representing South India as a violent, ‘sickle-bearing’ space. It has also been criticised for alternately glorifying the Thevar community and also associating them with violence.