Even though Thangalaan severely underperformed at the box office, director Pa Ranjith asserted that it had sparked important debates and claimed widespread support for his work and political ideas in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. However, his statements were met with ridicule online. Many netizens questioned whether his comments reflected deep self-promotion rather than genuine public sentiment.
The director also claimed that his film received “love and support” from people in Maharashtra and Delhi, where it has yet to be released. He has been in the spotlight recently, drawing attention to his controversial statements following the death of Tamil Nadu BSP leader Armstrong and the latest debacle, Thangalaan.
Thangalaan Failed At Box Office
The film, which failed to meet expectations at the box office, has sparked debates and criticism, with many questioning Ranjith’s motives and his penchant for making statements designed to keep him in the limelight.
At a recent event in Chennai, marking the “thanksgiving” for the “success” of the film Thangalaan, Pa Ranjith once again made headlines with his remarks.
Ranjith expressed his satisfaction with the film’s reception. He said, “The film has created an important debate in the Tamil community. It is common to convey a new experience to people in an unfamiliar language. Thanks to people who understand Thangalaan properly and celebrate it. Many people have worked with me in this success.”
Ranjith emphasised the significance of hard work in filmmaking, stating, “People don’t have to accept a film just because of hard work. A film requires labour. If I am standing here, I believe it is because of my hard work. Your love is what keeps me moving to the next level. Sometimes, we will be met with vehemence. But if we continue answering it, we will be finished/decimated. That is what this monster (vehemence) also wants.”
“Northern States Love Me”
The director also expressed his ‘surprise‘ at the level of support he has received, saying, “I don’t understand why a creator (like me) should be given so much love and support. This is not only in Tamil Nadu but also in Andhra Pradesh and everywhere else where the film was released. Even in northern states where the film has yet to be released, like Maharashtra and Delhi, I receive support everywhere. It is my opinion that is reflected in it. They love my ‘art‘, my thoughts. Thangalaan has given us the enthusiasm that we have no worries when lakhs of people understand it correctly.”
Netizens Rebuke Pa Ranjith’s Self-Promotion
However, Ranjith’s claims that people from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh celebrate him and his work because of his political stance have drawn ridicule from netizens. Many have taken to social media to question the director’s assumptions, with some suggesting that his statements are more about self-promotion than a genuine reflection of public sentiment. Here are some reactions:
One netizen wrote, “The truth is that many people in Tamil Nadu do not know what kind of politics you are talking about as they celebrate you only as a director.”
அவங்க உங்களை இயக்குநராதான் கொண்டாடுறாங்க மத்தபடி நீங்க என்ன அரசியல் பேசுறிங்கனு தமிழ்நாட்டுலயே நிறைய பேருக்கு தெரியாதுங்குறதுதான் உண்மை
— Homie (@24thCS) August 20, 2024
Another wrote, “This way, he has celebrated himself“
இதன் மூலம். அவரே அவரை கொண்டாடி கொண்டு விட்டார் 😃
— நா பா (@cnrajan23) August 20, 2024
Another wrote, “A very broad-minded person who thinks of even negative criticism as a celebration“
விமர்சனம் செய்வதை கூட கொண்டாடுவதாக எடுத்து கொள்ளும் பரந்த உள்ளம்
— Chinna Chinna Asai (@chennaitodaynew) August 20, 2024
Yet another netizen wrote, “Who told you? No one told me, so I told this to myself – Pa Ranjith“
யார் சொன்னா?
யாரும் சொல்லல அதான் நானே சொல்லிக்கிட்டேன் – ரஞ்சித்
— Mr.கயவன் (@Ganesh_ofcl) August 20, 2024
(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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