I did a lot of research on Karunanidhi, and the more I read about his childhood and his rise in politics and the film industry, the more fascinating his life became to me. I will do my best to portray the moment in the script, and the director Mani should not judge me as his replica.
Don’t expect me to imitate the man neither am I his height, his colour, nor do I speak his language, nor do I align with his political thoughts.
I remember telling Mani at that time: I am not good at imitating. Mani came to me with a handful of VHS tapes of Karunanidhi’s speeches to help me with the role. At the time, I only saw Karunanidhi through the eyes of Mani Ratnam, who was the scriptwriter and director. I was just 30 years old when I accepted the role of Tamizhselvan he was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa, played by the debuting Aishwarya Rai). Ramachandran, played by Mohanlal) and Pushpavalli (J. The film which showed the political and personal chemistry between Tamizhselvan (Karunanidhi), Anandan (M.G.
Karunanidhi when I shot for Iruvar, the movie in which I portrayed him and his role in Tamil Nadu politics. I fought with him too, but he always took my criticism in his stride and was open to debate on any subject. Three years later, he fell out with MG Ramachandran and shunted him out of the party - leading to the formation of life-long rival All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagamor AIADMK.We met regularly, and he adored me. In 1969, Mr Karunanidhi became a Chief Minister after DMK ideologue CN Annadurai died in office. His stage plays include ' Manimagudam', ' Ore Ratham', ' Thooku Medai,' ' Kagithapoo' and ' Silapathikarum.' His novels include ' Romapuri Pandian', ' Thenpandi Singam', ' Nenjukku Needhi' (his autobiography and commentary on contemporary politics), Sanga Thamizh, Kuraloviam, Ponnar Shankar, Thirukkural Urai. ' Mani Makudam', ' Marakka Mudiyuma', ' Avan Pithana', ' Pookkari' and ' Needhikku Thandanai' were among several of his other movies.Ī noted Tamil author, Mr Karunanidhi had over 100 works to his credit, including poems and novels. In addition to penning dialogues, he had also written stories for movies, including successful films like ' Marudanattu Ilavarasi', ' Mandiri Kumari (both 1950), Tirumbipar (1953) and Arasilangkumari (1961). ' Manohara' (1954), ' Malaikallan' (1954), ' Rangon Radha' (1956) were among the movies in which he was involved as a screenwriter. Little did the DMK chief know that his dialogues in 'Parasakthi, which debutant 'Sivaji' Ganesan delivered with panache, would become a big hit and aid in catapulting his political career as well. In 1947, Mr Karunanidhi wrote the screenplay and dialogue for the blockbuster 'Rajakumari', the debut movie of MG Ramachandran or MGR, who later became his arch political rival and founded the AIADMK. In 1941, when he was in his teens, Mr Karunanidhi ran a handwritten magazine "Manava Nesan". His oratory powers also helped him become a mass leader. He was known for his film scripts - a skill that greatly helped him in his political career. He took a keen interest in Tamil literature, poetry and drama. Mr Karunanidhi, who was popularly called " Kalaignar" or artiste by many, died yesterday at the age of 94.
Scripting dialogues for the television series based on the Vaishnavite saint in 2015, Mr Karunanidhi had praised Ramunja for throwing his weight behind the oppressed and backward classes.
Over the years, his plays went on to became a vehicle for propagating principles of the Dravidian movement.Ī voracious reader and prolific author, Mr Karunanidhi went on to write screenplays and dialogues for over 50 movies, prominent among them being " Parasakthi", starring Sivaji Ganesan in 1952, and scripted the story for several of them.Īge did not wither his pithy prose as Mr Karunanidhi wrote his last script at the age of 90, for a television serial based on the 11th century reformist Hindu saint Ramanuja, who strove for an egalitarian society. M Karunanidhi, a writer par excellence, began penning scripts for plays as a 20-year old.