When politics is the focus of the season

Chennai: With elections, round the corner, the biggest political juggernaut seems to have overwhelmed the Tamil film industry as well, given that a number of political thrillers and satires have lined up since February. But given that films, especially political satires, have not had it easy with the smallest of criticisms inviting protests from political outfits and leaders, it is interesting to understand what makes filmmakers dabble with controversial topics and can they really exercise their freedom of expression.

Making a political film is a risk that filmmakers take. Threats of a boycott, trolling on social media and, in case the film is not released, loss of producer’s money and waste of effort, are the most commonly faced issues. Not too long ago, the Tamil Nadu government took objection to scenes that dealt with freebie culture in A R Murugadoss’s ‘Sarkar’. After a few forced cuts and a promise from the director that he will not criticize government policy’s in future, the film was released.

But for some creative minds, opposition does not deter them. From ‘NOTA’ to ‘LKG’, there has been no dearth of films that have tried to hold a mirror to the political state of affairs. Adding to this list are Selvaraghavan’s ‘NGK’, Venkat Prabhu’s ‘Maanaadu’, which have a

politics

at the core of their story.

Three weeks ago, LKG (Lalgudi Karuppiah Gandhi) created waves for being openly critical about national and state politics. Speaking to TOI, R J Balaji, who played the protagonist says, "The movie, a political satire, shows all that has been happening from the 1960s. A lesson of sorts for youngsters who are least concerned about politics."

The use of the 1954 song "Ethanai Kalam Dhaan Ematruvaar Indha Naatiley…" (How long will they cheat us in this country) from the MGR-starrer ‘Malai Kallan’, showed how the issues that people face have not changed. "The movie spares none. It is a political satire and whatever has been projected in the movie portrays transparency and true incidents. By bringing in former politicians Nanjil Sampath and J K Rithesh I wanted to make the script as real as possible," says Balaji, who has largely garnered appreciation among the few threats and negative comments that branded him a DMK stooge.

From ‘Parasakthi’ to ‘Palaivana Rojakal’ and ‘Amaidhi Padai’, films have been a vehicle of propaganda, political awareness and introspection. The best political films are those that leave the audience with an insight, says producer and founder-dean of BOFTA G Dhananjayan. "There is a difference between political satire with an intention to isolate and mock one party and the other is when it is an objective take on the system. In case of ‘LKG’, it is done in a comical way by criticizing one and all, doe intelligently," he says.

Except for the master political satirist Cho Ramaswamy, whose film ‘Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’ ridiculed the leaders of both the DMK and the Congress at the Centre and political parties in general, there have hardly been any direct parodies of the government.

Balaji feels ‘LKG’ escaped the scrutiny because he is not in the big league. When Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan or Vijay utter a statement, it is has a bigger affect. But having spoken about beef ban, cow vigilantes and Sellur Raja’s thermocol attempt in ‘LKG’, the actor believes there is more freedom now when compared to five years ago. He praises the organic way in which the Central Board of Film Certification reviewed the film.

On his entry into films, Nanjil Sampath, says agreeing to be a part of a political satire has been the best decision for him. The former politician from a small town in Nagercoil received a hero’s welcome in his home town after the movie was released. "The acknowledgement is once in a lifetime," he says. A reflection of the power of cinema. "Movies should not be just about entertainment, it should agitate, inform and anger the audience."