Actor-politician Karunas has condemned Dr Krishnaswamy, founder of the Puthiya Tamizhagam political party, for wanting Thevar Magan 2 to be renamed Devendrar Magan. Dr Krishnaswamy, yesterday, had accused Kamal Haasan of inciting caste wars with his 1993 film Thevar Magan, and trying to “intensify the mistake” he had made earlier instead of rectifying it.
In a press statement released this morning, Karunas, addressing Krishnaswamy, said, “You cannot make decisions on films or their titles. They will be decided by the actors and producers. Is there any scene in Thevar Magan that shows conflict between two communities? It is a film based on the enmity between two families.” He also said that at the end of the film, Kamal holds forth on the importance of education.
Quoting Central Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, Karunas added: “In an interview, Pon Radhakrishnan said that one can make films in a way that praises one’s caste, but it should not degrade other castes.” He also wondered why there was no opposition when films degrading the Thevar community were made.
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“When you say that the film had sown the caste seed 25 years back, will you also speak about the never-ending caste conflict triggered by the Congress in 1957?” He then said that there are people like Veeravagu Thevar, Puli Thevan, Vellaiyathevan, Rebel Muthuramalinga Sethupathi, Velu Nachiyar, Maruthu Brothers, Pasumpon Thirumaganar and so many others based on whom movies have been made, and will continue to be made. “If you have such persons of eminence in your community, you are free to make films on them,” he said. Karunas then condemned Krishnaswamy for opposing the sequel for his own selfish reasons and to further his political agenda.
As reported earlier, Krishnaswamy, in a letter to Kamal Haasan, had expressed his displeasure at the title of Thevar Magan 2. He then demanded that the upcoming film be titled Devendrar Magan. By doing so, the public will know you as someone who believes in equality and is neutral, he said. Krishnaswamy also warned that if the condition is not met, Haasan may have to face stronger opposition than he did for Sandiyar.