Gopi Nainar and Pa Ranjith are both involved in separate biopics on Birsa Munda. Nainar announced that he would make the biopic on the freedom fighter earlier this year. It has recently become public that Pa Ranjith’s much talked about Hindi film will be about Munda.
Nainar’s spokesperson says that the director is currently involved with the sequel to his Aramm. The biopic on Munda will go on the floors only after Aramm 2 is done. Nayanthara has signed on to reprise her role as Mathivadhani from the first one.
Nainar’s spokesperson also added that the script work on the film has been completed. Efforts are on to secure actor Vijay Deverakonda to play Birsa Munda in the movie.
Ranjith, on the other hand, has already begun work on the film. Photos of the director interacting with tribal communities were released recently. In one photo, Ranjith can even be seen holding a bow and arrow made of wood. Namah Pictures is the producer of this film that is yet to sign on a male lead for the biopic.
Next Pa Ranjith sir @beemji Movie is on Birsa Munda, he had reviled in its latest interview, @raghothamahoba @BluePan10159831 @LaxmipathyMn pic.twitter.com/vSOe3lVcyw
— srenivasaboudh (@srenivasaboudh) November 13, 2018
Pre production work is already underway, says Ranjith’s manager. “Shooting will begin in May next year. Since this is a period film based on a cult hero, we have to make sure that the research part is thorough. We have to make the film as authentic as possible. If not, it becomes a great disservice to his legacy.”
Birsa Munda was a tribal leader who inspired his people to fight against British tyranny. He was captured by the British and spent his last days in jail. He died at the age of 24 from cholera. A portrait of Birsa Munda is displayed in the Indian parliament and this is significant because Munda is perhaps the only tribal leader to be given this honour. A statue commemorating him has been planned in Jharkhand.
Already two Hindi films have been made on Munda. One was released in 2004, titled Ulgulan Ki Kranti. The other, Gandhi Se Pehle Gandhi, directed by Iqbal Duran was released in 2008.
