A petition has been submitted to the TN Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisamy by the people of Thanjavur, supporting Anbu Rajasekhar, the writer who accused director AR Murugadoss of plagiarism. In the petition, the people urge the CM to make sure justice prevails in the case.
Anbu has been on an indefinite fast for eight consecutive days since October 31 this year. He had previously submitted a police complaint against Murugadoss and also filed a legal case against him. The case could not proceed since the people named never appeared before court, despite several summons being issued.
A spokesperson told Silverscreen that the people of Thanjavur have supported Anbu throughout. “We first heard about his ordeal in 2014, shortly after Kaththi was released. Anbu has all the necessary evidence that proves that AR Murugadoss made Kaththi based on the short film Thagabhoomi. However, for him to prove his case, AR Murugadoss and those mentioned in his petition need to appear before the Thanjavur court. This did not happen. Summons were sent to actor Vijay, producer Subhaskaran of Lyca Productions, cinematographer George C Williams and Karunamoorthy thrice. Nobody has come. So Anbu has now lost four years of his life.”
The people held a one-day hunger strike in support of Anbu Rajasekhar. Despite such initiatives, Anbu’s voice has remained largely unheard, the spokesperson told Silverscreen.
The Thanjavur people say that immediate action is necessary as Anbu has consistently refused to end his fast if his demands are not met. “Anbu has been on a fast since October 31. He has refused all food. On October 31, he and his family were at the Valluvar Kottam protesting against this injustice. Later, Anbu continued his hunger strike at his home in Chennai. Despite repeated pleas, he has not consumed anything. His health is very poor now. Last week, he even fainted and had to be admitted to the hospital. Though he was given treatment, he has continued his fast.”
Anbu’s health condition has deteriorated rapidly, the spokesperson said. “It is time that the government takes action. If something happens to Anbu, it is completely AR Murugadoss’s fault. He must be held accountable for his actions. This government must prove that it can help its people.”
A spokesperson for Anbu confirmed that the writer was under a lot of duress, both mentally and physically. “He is in very poor shape right now.”
As of now, Lyca Productions and AR Murugadoss have refused to comment on the issue. The TN police say that they’re aware of the developments in the case and that they’re investigating. However, they are not capable of making any decision in the case as it can only be decided in court.
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Kaththi was released in 2014. The film had Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu in lead roles with music by Anirudh Ravichander. The movie dealt with the rising issue of farmer suicides in the country and big corporations taking away farming land for their own use. Anbu’s Thaagabhoomi is built on the same premise. Anbu released the short film in 2013, and even sent a copy of the film to AR Murugadoss in a bid to secure a position as his assistant director. This is how AR Murugadoss came in contact with Thaagabhoomi. While AR Murugadoss never responded to Anbu, a few months after the email was sent to the director, Kaththi was announced.
Incidentally, Gopi Nainar who later made Aramm, also claimed at the time of Kaththi’s release that the film was based on his story.