shadow

People love watching films as they transport them to a whole new world of reality or fantasy or adventure. The evolution of Tamil cinema has seen a notable transition between the last two centuries. 

In the 20th century, if Tamil cinema has to be divided based on its societal impact, it should be the before and after Dravidian movement. Those were the times when propaganda cinema (such as the case in Boleshvik’s period) conquered the mainstream visual medium to spread the Dravidian ideologies.

However, soon after the ideologies worked in favour of the leaders to acquire the throne, the Dravidian wave saturated only to pave the way to aesthetic cinema in Kollywood. 

When Vetri Maaran made his debut film Polladhavan (2007) with Dhanush, people were fascinated by the kind of non-linear storytelling which opened up the subtle perspective narration. Despite the film’s thin line centred around bike theft, the engaging screenplay and raw performances of the actors amused audiences. 

Why Vetri Maaran is an important 21st century Tamil filmmaker- PIC 1.jpg

His second film Aadukalam (2011) turned heads for its authentic filmmaking on the rooster fight set in Madurai. The transition from Polladhavan to Adukalam for Vetri Maaran, as a filmmaker, was phenomenal. 

Geographical Depiction 

In all of Vetri Maaran’s films, the geographical visual description brings the audience into the mood of the story. It’s not that we have not seen in other Tamil films but blending characters to the nuances of the landscape is quite challenging and rare.  

Prabhu (Polladhavan), KP Karuppu (Aadukalam) and Sivasami (Asuran) are three different characters created by the filmmaker. The behavioural pattern of each of the characters differs based on their subjective experiences corresponding to the type of society they live in. 

Why Vetri Maaran is an important 21st century Tamil filmmaker_- Geographical Depiction- PIC 2.jpg

It requires an immense understanding of the geography, language and lifestyle of people to create characters with such diversity. 

Literary Adaptation 

Vetri Maaran’s literary adaptation into films began with Visaranai (2015) which was sent as an official entry to Oscars representing India. It is the adaptation of M Chandrakumar’s novel Lockup concerning the darker politics of police brutality including custodial violence.

Visaranai is probably the first film in Kollywood to project the unadulterated inhumane elements in the Indian police department who use their power to exploit the lives of the underprivileged. 

Why Vetri Maaran is an important 21st century Tamil filmmaker_- Geographical Depiction- PIC 3.jpg

In 2020 the custodial death of Jeyaraj and Felix in Thoothukudi reeled the commoners to Visaranai. The film became a point of discussion during that time and later the police officers involved in the incident were brought under justice. 

Unified Freedom 

One who does not understand the culture cannot lay the path to freedom. Vetri Maaran’s voice for freedom started with Vada Chennai (2018). The film is loosely based on the real incidents of the aboriginal people in North Chennai, Tamil Nadu.  

Despite its rich filmmaking and raw portrayal of underworld gangsters, the film received criticism from a certain group of North Chennai for excessive violence. However, Vada Chennai does not stay away from the historical fact that revolves around the extortion of land from indigenous people. 

Why Vetri Maaran is an important 21st century Tamil filmmaker_- Geographical Depiction- PIC 4.jpg

Vetri Maaran’s Asuran targeted the bull’s eye of the modern crisis of people living in the particular landscape of the sub-continent whose sovereignty has been constantly butchered, across centuries, in various ways. 

It is known that the film’s explicit tone triggers Dalit politics on the pretext of extortion of Panchami Land. However, the underlying narrative of Asuran resonates with the idea of unified freedom among people (irrespective of caste and social class) who speak the common language in Tamil Nadu. The film grabbed two National Film Awards at the 67th edition announced by the Government of India in 2021. 

The last time a film made such an impact in Tamil Nadu was Parasakthi (1952) made by Dravidian ideologists. Interestingly, Vetri Maaran’s upcoming film has been titled Viduthalai (Freedom). 

The views expressed by the author are personal and do not in any way represent those of Times Network.

Author

Timesnow

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *