A Legacy Under Fire: Why a Legend's Grandson is Taking Dulquer Salmaan's Kaantha to Court

Well, here’s a story brewing that really makes you pause and think about legacy, cinema, and, honestly, the very delicate balance between artistic freedom and historical truth. A significant legal skirmish has just erupted in Chennai, and at its heart lies the formidable shadow of a true titan of Tamil cinema: M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar.

You see, his grandson, a man named T.M.S. Ravindranath, has quite unequivocally decided that enough is enough. He's taken the rather drastic step of moving the Chennai civil court, not against just any film, but specifically against "Kaantha," the much-anticipated upcoming feature starring none other than Dulquer Salmaan. And the reason? A deeply unsettling allegation, if you ask him: that the film grossly misrepresents and, dare we say, defames his revered grandfather.

It’s a serious charge, to be sure. Ravindranath, in his petition, asserts that "Kaantha" intends to portray MKT, as he was affectionately known, as a veritable womanizer, someone who, and this is crucial, apparently indulged in a lavish, rather irresponsible lifestyle. This, he argues with conviction, is simply untrue. Moreover, he maintains it’s a portrayal that strikes directly at the very core of his grandfather's meticulously built reputation, causing, as one might imagine, immense emotional distress and public damage to a legacy that has, for decades, stood unsullied.

And let's not forget, M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar wasn't just an actor; he was the superstar of his era, a phenomenon, truly. Before the likes of MGR or Sivaji Ganesan, it was Bhagavathar who commanded the screen, his mellifluous voice and commanding presence captivating millions. His film "Haridas," released in 1944, ran for an astonishing three years straight in a single theatre—a record that, in truth, remains unbroken. It’s no small wonder, then, that Ravindranath also points out the new film’s title, "Kaantha," bears an uncanny resemblance to "Haridas," the name of Bhagavathar’s legendary heroine in that very film. A coincidence? Perhaps. Or maybe something more?

So, what exactly is Ravindranath seeking? Well, he’s not just grumbling. He's formally requested an interim injunction from the court. This isn’t a small ask; it means he wants to halt the shooting of "Kaantha" altogether and, crucially, block its eventual release. The legal machinery is now in motion, with Wayfarer Films, Dulquer Salmaan's own production house, and director Selvamani, along with others involved in the film, named as respondents. The demand is clear: until those allegedly objectionable scenes, the ones that paint MKT in such a questionable light, are entirely removed, the film, for all intents and purposes, should not see the light of day.

This whole situation, really, it forces us to confront a recurring dilemma in creative arts: where does inspiration end and defamation begin? Can filmmakers freely interpret historical figures, or do the living descendants hold a sacred trust over how their ancestors are remembered? It’s a thorny issue, complex and fraught with emotion, especially when dealing with icons whose public image is, well, practically sacrosanct for many. One can only wonder how this dramatic chapter in cinematic and legal history will unfold. The court, it seems, now has a weighty decision to make, one that could set a precedent for future biopics and historical dramas, and that, my friends, is something worth watching.