The writer and director of 90 ML, Anita Udeep, was recently pulled into a controversy by producer Dhananjayan who criticised her for making an ‘irresponsible’ film that was ‘detrimental to society’. He accused her of “spreading venom among youngsters to make money,” and this lead to a long argument between the two of them, and other critics and commentators.
The producer, who bankrolled films like Mr Chandramouli and Kaatrin Mozhi, is one of the many people criticising 90 ML of being vulgar since its trailer released. It showed Oviya, Anson Paul, Monisha Ram and other women drinking, partying and having fun.
Director Anita Udeep hit back at him yesterday saying, “Dear uncle Dhananjayan I have not made a socially relevant film like Chandramouli with gilma songs. 90ML is an adult film and yes it’s shamelessly entertaining!! I have not talked about shit like you have in Settai! Have talked about shit women go through in life.”
Hope & wish Dir. @anitaudeep & Producer @UdeepB watch this honest review by Dr.Abhilasha on how your film #90ML can be detrimental to our society. Please have some responsibility towards the society & don't spread venom among our youngsters to make money?https://t.co/a0BK0cw2X0
— BOFTA Dhananjayan (@Dhananjayang) March 1, 2019
Dear Uncle @Dhananjayang , I have not made a socially relevant film like Chandramouli with Gilma Songs. #90ML is an Adult Film and yes it’s shamelessly entertaining !! I have Not talked about Shit like you have in Settai ! Have talked about Shit Women go through in Life ! https://t.co/xAx73olm9Y
— Anita Udeep (@anitaudeep) March 2, 2019
Producer Dhananjayan first defended his films saying they didn’t degrade women the way 90 ML did, and didn’t have vulgar scenes and dialogues. When Anita Udeep responded with a still from Mr Chandramouli that she said disrespected women, Dhananjayan replied that it was an ‘aesthetic shot’ which was the director’s choice and not his.
I understand Aunty. I only shared the video review for you to see how the film is viewed by many. Hope you have seen @valaipechu review too. We have not shown any shit in our films degrading women. Glamours songs are not degrading, vulgar dialogues & scenes in #90ML are degrading
— BOFTA Dhananjayan (@Dhananjayang) March 2, 2019
Mr. Chandramouli!! Pengala romba madikireenga!! Respect for u sir!! pic.twitter.com/ut2ONZw36a
— Anita Udeep (@anitaudeep) March 2, 2019
It was not directed by me. It's a director's call on how to shoot a song. I never demand such songs. Further it was glamorous & not vulgar. It was very aesthetically shot song and got good appreciation & hence the film got just U/A & not 'A'. So, you're making a wrong comparison
— BOFTA Dhananjayan (@Dhananjayang) March 2, 2019
Soon after this, many people called Dhanajanyan out of having defended the films he was associated with in the past, just because men were featured in a similar role and that was seen as acceptable.
Others pointed out that films like Settai objectified women and wasn’t considered disrespectful.
It’s funny coming from you Sir, who has rejected similar comments for films associated with you. Double standards!! You have similar films with men instead of women, I understand why it bothers you so much. So much unlearning to do.
— Mahjabeen Reyaz (@MahjuReyaz) March 1, 2019
I remember many scenes in Settai were conveying Hansika as an object and nt even as human being. Haha those aren't degrading women it seems
— Vidhya LN (@ln_vidhya) March 2, 2019
Cannot believe people who didn't mind films like Iruttu Araiyil Murattu Kuthu are now fretting about the "social impact" of #90ml. So guys making vagina jokes is okay, but when girls do it, it's not? ??
— Baradwaj Rangan (@baradwajrangan) March 2, 2019
@anitaudeep Hey warrior checkout this too. Poll for releasing an item song. Steamy hot visuals will drive youngsters to theatres. #90ml pic.twitter.com/6mAKxvprGm
— T H A L A P A T H Y 63 (@Vishal_Chand97) March 2, 2019
I thought you're a gentle man, you aren't. We have shown enough examples on your double stands. Firstly, let's correct ourselves. They've directed a "A" censored adult movie and in your case the gilma song was just a commercial ingredient, they're far better than you.
— SurendarMGanesh (@SurendarMGanesh) March 2, 2019
Here you go.. Uncle @Dhananjayang 's devotional film #Settai ?#90ML pic.twitter.com/ixdTUseFJR
— Deepu (@DEEPU_S_GIRI) March 2, 2019
As a responsible person in the society with lot of care for future generation (running a film institute, developing new talents), I feel I should express my views on this matter. It's about this film, which is not reflecting the society & not about who made it (a women).
— BOFTA Dhananjayan (@Dhananjayang) March 1, 2019
I really appreciate your concern. When you change the rules for movies with women protagonists, you are discriminating. Also, a wise man said this once when men were acting juvenile, drinking and walking around making sex jokes: pic.twitter.com/Hf3fgpXgJP
— Sudhish Kamath (@SudhishKamath) March 1, 2019
The hypocrisy is just wow. Forget random people outraging, those from the film industry who have been part of crass, terribly misogynistic films giving moral advice is really rich.
— Sowmya Rajendran (@sowmya_rajen) March 2, 2019
The Oviya starrer released yesterday to mixed response from people. Reviews like the one Dhananjayan shared by psychologist Abhilasha say that the film will have a bad impact on youngsters because the heroines ‘drink, smoke, do ganja and all immoral activities’. Many Tamil culture saviours on social media were also up in arms.
When the film’s trailer released, Anita Udeep had said it promises to be bold and entertaining film. Oviya too had responded to the controversy saying, “If you don’t have confidence in your culture, or if you are a male chauvinist, please don’t watch 90ML.”
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Read our review of 90ML here: Come for the controversy, stay for the lovely story of women in–charge of their lives
