[Pic: movies.bizhat.com]
Yesterday was Aamir’s day. Ketan Mehta‘s much expected The Rising had the rising. The muhurat of The Rising was staged yesterday with the chief guest as Prince Charles to clap the first shot.
The Rising is all about the First War of Indian Independence in 1857. Also called as the Sepoy Mutiny, the first war of indian independence started because of a rumor that new rifle cartridges that british introduced had lubricant oil made from the fat of animals. The fat of sacred cows was against religious beliefs of Hindus and for muslims it was the pig fat. The sepoys started rising against the british colonization, which became the root of Indian Independence. The rebellion also saw the end of the East India Company’s rule in India. Power was transferred to the British Crown in 1858 by an Act of British Parliament. The states of India, which was divided until then, recognized the importance of unity and started fighting against the british. Magal Pandey a young warrior shot his british commander in Meerut when the commander forced the troops to use the rifles lubricated with fats of animanls. Heroes were born and died during this insurrection. I still remember all this history from my high school history textbooks. Especially Indian Independence struggle was my second favorite history topic after the renaissance.
So Aamir Khan, the man who was instrumental to take Indian cinema very close to Oscars, stars as Mangal Pandey, the protagonist in The Rising. With A R Rahman hooking on to the keyboard for this movie, I am sure it is a sure shot success.
Here is the other angle, the tragedy, the untold story, and the forgotten man – Kamalhassan, who was well ahead in this arena of historical films. Marudhanayagam was the most well planned, scrutinized and thoughtfully executed movie, which is in the storeroom of Kamal’s mandaveli house. If The Rising had Prince Charles, Marudhanayagam had the Queen herself clap for the first shot. If Aamir has grown hairs all over his head, this man Kamal, had even grown a much-appreciated beard for this Marudhanayagam. Well that was just a glimpse of silly similarities.
As a fact, which many of us don’t know, Kamal was in France for 30 days with a playwright for a discussion over the screenplay of Marudhanayagam. After that Kamalhassan remarked in an interview, some of his best discussion about films where with this playwright in France. Sarika, Kamal’s former wife, made a costly trip to world museums to get details about the sample costumes of the British during the 18th century. And above all there was huge fort constructed in Sri Perumbuthur where the main part of the shooting went on for more than 90 days. What remains after 4 years and 6 months of the initial muhurat is just half an hour of the movie. After editing the whole shoot Kamalhassan remarked in an interview that he has just shot 30 min of the movie.
Marudhanayagam itself is Kamal’s magnum opus and it is for huge sum of money required for his dream project Marudhanayagam, he started acting in a string of comedies like Thennali and PKS. But as he concludes he needs close to 100 crores for the entire movie to be shot. So until someone is able to give him a fair share of investment, that half-an-hour of Marudhanayagam would remain in the dumps of his house.
The Rising is also a similar movie. However, It is not the same. Rising is about the fight for Indian Independence during 19th century. But Marudhanayagam is a story about a small time king from Madurai who was the root of Indian uprising against the British. He existed in 17th-18th century and is even placed much before Veerapandya Kattabomman in pages of history. It is said that analyzing Marudhanayagam’s life will lead to a path of the war which India chose to fight the British.
Since The Rising is on the sets already and poised to release next year it would definitely make Marudhanayagam look similar in approach. I am not being biased about Kamal’s Marudhanayagam. It’s just that someone’s dreams are shattered for he wanted to have first leap into such a modern movie making style of an historical movie. I am sure Rising will be India’s first leap into the rows of grand international movies like Titanic, Schindler’s List and Braveheart.
All these Sony and Columbia movies that are sponsoring for some mushy mushy Hindi flicks, can come forward for this venture of Marudhanayagam. If only someone could make Kamal’s dream come true, he can prove to be the best among the rest.
33 responses to “The Rising of Marudhanayagam :”
i am the great fan of kamalhassan.iam very much interested about this movie.kamal sir,please take immediate steps to start the movie..advance congratulations to get oscar for this movie..
LikeLike
sir,
Iam great fan of you sir till last movie vasool raja MBBS i have enjoyed,no one cannot stand in before you when we compare who is acting well in the cniema field you are not suppose to be here you should be in HOLLYHOOD you can be compared with them only we are egarly waiting for Marudhanayagam.with my heartly whishes to you sir don’t mistake me iam just 20 only.I love you very much sir TAKE CARE.
LikeLike
hello sir
am an engineering student and am a crazy fan of you..actually i started liking you in recent times only..what made me to like you is your dedication towards your profession..
take care
prathap
LikeLike
hey dude..
cool… ur site rocks…well knew abt ur site jus few days back..n read most of the archives…seems that u have same interests as mine.. inspired by Anantha vikatan..kumudam..Kamal Hasan…sujatha’s katrathum petrathum…Books …movies
well ‘am too a grt fan of kamal..used to dream of becoming a multimilionare n fund Maruthnayagam…well recently the kamal’s article
abt his frends in france… Jean claude carriere, milos forman…was intrst’n
u’r article on finding, r.k.narayanan liv’n in ur neighbourhood was intrst’n….
Well how abt ur intrst in books… cudn’t find reviews on books…’am currently obsessed with indian writers Amitav ghosh…Rohinton Mistry…Vikram seth…Kushwant singh..Arundhathi roy
LikeLike
hey dude..
cool… ur site rocks…well knew abt ur site jus few days back..n read most of the archives…seems that u have same interests as mine.. inspired by Anantha vikatan..kumudam..Kamal Hasan…sujatha’s katrathum petrathum…Books …movies
well ‘am too a grt fan of kamal..used to dream of becoming a multimilionare n fund Maruthnayagam…well recently the kamal’s article
abt his frends in france… Jean claude carriere, milos forman…was intrst’n
u’r article on finding, r.k.narayanan liv’n in ur neighbourhood was intrst’n….
Well how abt ur intrst in books… cudn’t find reviews on books…’am currently obsessed with indian writers Amitav ghosh…Rohinton Mistry…Vikram seth…Kushwant singh..Arundhathi roy
LikeLike
I’m a great fan of you. keep up you good work and don’t bother what others said. You have your policy. I’m very eager to watch more movies like Indian. till now you are the best actor not only in the tamil field but also in the world.
LikeLike
hi kamal,
I am karthik.I great fan of u.I wont miss any of ur films… i like ur direction and ur way of thinking in all the movies and mostly very very decent and complicated dialogues which is very nice to see…I am sure that u will be getting a oscar award for the fourthcoming film MARUTHANAYAGAM…Moreover i will be searching mistakes in all ur movies i.e. the direction mistake and the coincidence of the dialogue mainly to be told in VIRUMANDI till now i haev seen that film for more than 25 times,i haev not feel bored there is nothing mistake in dialogue and cinciding directions… If i fing anything i will surely mail u…then i like the film anbeysivam…i read in one of the book that u said madhavan is very good actor…I think in that film only u have been somewhat dominated by other character when compared to other films like P.K.S.-U have the main role and there is no chance for abbas secondly-KADHALA KADHALA-in this film prabhudeva has no chance moreover he is not a fluent speaker in that film thirdly-the recent film VASOOLRAJA M.B.B.S- prabhu was not given a main role in that…
i am a fan of madhavan too because he likes u and moreover he said that he will call u anna…
Somehow i am very much eager to see u and i want to act one film with u please its in ur hand…
Then i will always be changing my styles according to ur films…
I am waiting for the call for ur next film maybe MARUTHANAYAGAM… ok
urs great fan
N.Karthik…
LikeLike
Vanakkam Kamal Iyya, I joined ur fans group from my school days and i have two more friends in the list we use to bunk the class and speak about your movies from morning to evening the conversation starts like this – my friend will start – Matchaan have u seen this movie? and in that movie he will say some scene then we will start discussing abt the particular scene after that we will move to next movie like this it will keep on going….and my favourite movie of yours is all of ur movies especially (heyram)and i like the way your love, affection towards Tamil(language), we want to meet you sir to discuss about past, present and future life i.e.-movies. awating for your invitation. Rest in person….
LikeLike
Vanakkam Kamal Iyya, I joined ur fans group from my school days and i have two more friends in the list we use to bunk the class and speak about your movies from morning to evening the conversation starts like this – my friend will start – Matchaan have u seen this movie? and in that movie he will say some scene then we will start discussing abt the particular scene after that we will move to next movie like this it will keep on going….and my favourite movie of yours is all of ur movies especially (heyram)and i like the way your love, affection towards Tamil(language), we want to meet you sir to discuss about past, present and future life i.e.-movies. awating for your invitation. Rest in person….
LikeLike
hi kamal,
i am ur fan to be shot i watched the film brave heart and i am waiting for u r film marudhanagayam to be completed hoping to watch the film soon
yours
sathya narayanan
LikeLike
hi sir how r u? heyram and anbesivam film is really extraordinarry film. but unfortunattly didn`t sucess. these two films are very good. why didn`t run.all the best for ur maruthanayagam
iam expecting very well
LikeLike
hi sir how r u? heyram and anbesivam film is really extraordinarry film. but unfortunattly didn`t sucess. these two films are very good. why didn`t run.all the best for ur maruthanayagam
iam expecting very well
LikeLike
hi sir how r u? heyram and anbesivam film is really extraordinarry film. but unfortunattly didn`t sucess. these two films are very good. why didn`t run.all the best for ur maruthanayagam
iam expecting very well
LikeLike
Hello sir,
Iam very big fan of yours. Anbe sivam was very very good film . i want you to give box office hit films. ALL the best for maruthanayagam
.
LikeLike
Hello sir,
Iam very big fan of yours. Anbe sivam was very very good film . i want you to give box office hit films. ALL the best for maruthanayagam
.
LikeLike
Hai Ulaga Nayaga,
i am the great fan of you, from my college days.
I am really proud of your good thinking about the society. best wishes for you to gain a long life
LikeLike
Hai Ulaga Nayaga,
i am the great fan of you, from my college days.
I am really proud of your good thinking about the society. best wishes for you to gain a long life
LikeLike
Hai Ulaga Nayaga,
i am the great fan of you, from my college days.
I am really proud of your good thinking about the society. best wishes for you to gain a long life
LikeLike
Hai Ulaga Nayaga,
i am the great fan of you, from my college days.
I am really proud of your good thinking about the society. best wishes for you to gain a long life
LikeLike
hai padmashree,
my name is adrian from Malaysia..
i am a die hard fan of yours..
your superb performance in acting career has proved a diferrence in the tamil movie industry..
when i see you in the screen, it is like seeing the next Sivaji Ganesan in screen.
Best of luck & Have a nice day
LikeLike
SAKALAKALA VALLAVAN U R ALWAYZ MY FAVOURITE. I’VE BEEN ADORING U SINCE CHILDHOOD N ONE THING FOR SURE THAT UR EFFORTS N TALENTS IS JUST GROWING EXCELLENTLY. LOVE U A LOT. PLS PRODUCE A MOVIE WITH SOME BHARATHAM BACKGROUND.PLS IM LONGING TO C UR DANCE AGAIN. WISH U LOTS OF LUCK N HAPPINESS.
LikeLike
SAKALAKALA VALLAVAN U R ALWAYZ MY FAVOURITE. I’VE BEEN ADORING U SINCE CHILDHOOD N ONE THING FOR SURE THAT UR EFFORTS N TALENTS IS JUST GROWING EXCELLENTLY. LOVE U A LOT. PLS PRODUCE A MOVIE WITH SOME BHARATHAM BACKGROUND.PLS IM LONGING TO C UR DANCE AGAIN. WISH U LOTS OF LUCK N HAPPINESS.
LikeLike
Hello sir The most superb film which I rate was
“ANBESIVAM” Which one is the beautiful film and I understand what you are like to tell the entire youngsters I understood and lot of my friends was changed thier habits after seeing the film it was extra ordinary
LikeLike
Hello Sir,
I dont know how to start, only one word is there to say how great u are that is u r great sir,
I know u need more rupees to make your deram film but i cant help u but if u make that film iam sure i will see the movie atleast 5 times so please take steps to make your dream come true.
LikeLike
sir,
It is time for a big change in your carreer. As a lover of Indian cinema I really want to say this to you. Please do not waster your precious time acting under mediocre directors. I would like to see you working under big giants like Bhudadeb Das Gupta,Adoor Gopalkrishnan, Ritupuro Ghosh, Shyam Benegal etc.
your well wisher
Sudhir
LikeLike
sir,
It is time for a big change in your carreer. As a lover of Indian cinema I really want to say this to you. Please do not waster your precious time acting under mediocre directors. I would like to see you working under big giants like Bhudadeb Das Gupta,Adoor Gopalkrishnan, Ritupuro Ghosh, Shyam Benegal etc.
your well wisher
Sudhir
LikeLike
hi Kamal
i am sudhakar
i am the great fan of you, from my school days
my fovorite film is heyram in this film i like each and every fram. allready i know that political diverse throw by books
LikeLike
hi my god
i want marudhanayagam please please please please
please please
LikeLike
Hey Kamal,
I am a gr8 gr8 fan of your’s. I have watched all movies of yours till date. I am looking forward for the movie ” MARUTHANAYAGAM” . I bet it will fetch you lots and lots of appreciation. I will pray that you will get the finance to make the movie.
I love all your movies. In fact, I am interested in the field of movies. I am looking to act and direct as well. I desperately want to work in a movie with you. It is my dream, in fact that is one of my ambitions in life.
I am just 18 and am not older than you to bless you. But, may the Lord shower his blessings on you and bring you all success in life. Lets hope for the best and I wish you all the very best for the movie “MARUTHANAYAGAM”.
LikeLike
Hey Kamal,
I am a gr8 gr8 fan of your’s. I have watched all movies of yours till date. I am looking forward for the movie ” MARUTHANAYAGAM” . I bet it will fetch you lots and lots of appreciation. I will pray that you will get the finance to make the movie.
I love all your movies. In fact, I am interested in the field of movies. I am looking to act and direct as well. I desperately want to work in a movie with you. It is my dream, in fact that is one of my ambitions in life.
I am just 18 and am not older than you to bless you. But, may the Lord shower his blessings on you and bring you all success in life. Lets hope for the best and I wish you all the very best for the movie “MARUTHANAYAGAM”.
LikeLike
HAI MY DEAR SHANKAR LAL. I LOVE U ARE FILMS
MORE THAN ANY ACTOR. U ARE FILMS ARE NOT ONLY FOR THEENTERTAINMENT BUT ALSO A LESSON. FROM THE TIME I UNDERSTAND FILMS, I WATCH YOURS.
EVEN IF THOUSANDS OF ACTORS ARISE NO ONE CAN EVEN GET CLOSER TO U.I WILL BE THE LUCKIEST IN THIS WORLD IF I COULD MARRY YOUR DAUGHTER-SHRUTI
OR ASKARA- OR REMARRY YOUR WIFE SAREEKA.
LikeLike
adipex Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries.
LikeLike
adipex Does a man of sense run after every silly tale of hobgoblins or fairies, and canvass particularly the evidence? I never knew anyone, that examined and deliberated about nonsense who did not believe it before the end of his enquiries.
LikeLike