Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's Grandson Moves Chennai Court Against Dulquer Salman's “Kaantha” Movie, Says It Portrays Grandfather In Bad Light

In his petition, B Thiagarajan argued that the movie depicts his grandfather as a person who had lived a life of loose morals, who became blind towards the end of his life, became a pauper, destitute and sought alms and died of indebtedness and penury, which was totally false.

He stated that his grandfather was a legendary personality in Tamil Nadu and was not only a popular film star but also a Carnatic musician with a divine touch. He stated that Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT) had mesmerised lakhs of people with his golden voice and acting. However, after his false implication in a case, which ultimately resulted in his acquittal, he did not have a successful career and passed away in 1959, leaving behind his wife and two children.

The plea stated that, contrary to what was being portrayed through the movie, his grandfather was a modest, devout, and simple man of great compassion and charitable disposition who remained a teetotaller and non-smoker all his life. It was stated that till the time of his death, he lived a dignified life with no economic necessity. He further pointed out that though MKT's vision was diminished, he was not blind, as was claimed in the movie.

It has been further stated that whenever movies are made based on the life of popular personalities, either directly or indirectly, the producers are legally bound to seek the permission of their surviving legal heirs, which was not done in the present case.

He stated that the movie makers have made a baseless version of MKT's life, projecting an undignified and defamatory version of him. He argued that even if the names are changed, if a prudent person can recall the personality, it would be nothing but tarnishing the image of a person who cannot defend.

Thus, the plea seeks a permanent injunction restraining the makers from releasing, screening, distributing, publishing, streaming, or in any manner exhibiting the movie. The plea also seeks a permanent injunction restraining the movie makers from depicting MKT as a man with loose morals, as such a depiction is false, defamatory, and injurious to the reputation, dignity, and legacy of the late actor.