Two Tamil films have been announced on the Pollachi sexual assault incidents that came to light in February. Sinhalese director Kuzhandhai Yesu is making his Tamil debut with Andha Nimidam, inspired by the case. The second film, titled Karuthukkalai Pathivu Sei, is written by Rajasekar and directed by Rahul Paramahamsa.
Kuzhandhai Yesu’s film reportedly stars Rudhra from the Mayalalam industry as the lead, along with Nasin and Sanchana Naidu. Sri Lankan actor Lal Veera Singh plays the antagonist. More details are yet to be known.
Recommended
Kuzhandhai is a former assistant of directors SP Muthuraman and K Balachander, and has made a few films in Sinhalese. “I have taken the knot from the incident and narrated it in a suspenseful manner. There are a lot of emotions as well. I wanted newcomers without any image trap for the vital characters. I am also introducing Lal Veera Singh from Sri Lanka as the main villain. Besides Pollachi, we have also shot in Colombo extensively,” the director said in report by Deccan Chronicle.
The second film on the Pollachi incident is by Rahul Paramahamsa of Jithan 2 and 1am fame. Like Rahul’s previous films, this is a horror movie and stars Upakshi Rai in the lead along with SS Rajendran’s grandson SSR Aaryann. The rest of the cast features newcomers.
The director said in a press statement recently that the story is about a woman who escapes from her rapist and later ensures punishment is meted out to him. “The man pretends to be her lover and rapes her. The film follows how she escapes from the room she is locked and tortured in, and what kind of action she takes against him.”
He also added that the film was not initially planned to be inspired by the Pollachi incident. The assault case happened when the film was in the final stages of shoot, and the team decided to add scenes and modify the story to include the real-life incident. The film has music by Ganesh Raghavendra, cinematography by Manohar, and editing by Maruthi. The shooting is almost over.
The Pollachi incident came out in the open in late February, when a student filed a police complaint against Thirunavukkarasu, Sabarirajan and his gang sexually assaulted and blackmailed her. The police believe that at least 15 men are associated with the gang, and videos of them blackmailing other women were retrieved from their phones.
The Supreme Court recently refused to hear a plea seeking a court-monitored probe in the case, and directed petitioners to approach the High Court and police.
Image Courtesy: Deccan Chronicle, a still from Kuzhandhai Yesu’s ‘Antha Nimidam’