The recent release of Vettaiyan, starring Rajinikanth, has sparked significant criticism on social media, with netizens pointing out the film’s reliance on complete propaganda and its questionable historical accuracy. Many have noted the lack of thorough research behind the events depicted. If we take a closer look at TJ Gnanavel, the Loyola College graduate turned filmmaker, it becomes clear that his career has seen a sudden rise, largely due to the agenda he has embraced. Critics argue that he has acted as a vehicle for promoting a Dravidianist narrative, raising concerns about the motivations behind his work.
From Dialogue Writer To Controversial Filmmaker
Gnanavel reportedly began his career as a dialogue writer for the Telugu-dubbed Tamil film Raththa Sarithiram in 2010 and worked on Payanam (2011) before transitioning to assistant direction. In 2017, he made his directorial debut with the comedy Kootathil Oruthan, which received only average reviews. However, it was in 2021, with the film Jai Bhim, inspired by Justice Chandru’s habeas corpus case, that Gnanavel gained significant attention. This film sparked considerable criticism for presenting a narrative that diverged from reality.
Interestingly, since his start as a dialogue writer for Raththa Sarithiram in 2010, Gnanavel’s trajectory has coincided with that of the Dravidianist actor Suriya, who starred in both Jai Bhim and Raththa Sarithiram.
How Gnanavel Peddled Anti-Hindu Sentiments Through Dravidianist Actor Suriya Opposing Actor Rajini
In 2020, Surendar Natarajan, known as ‘Naathigan’ from the Karuppar Koottam YouTube channel, faced intense backlash for posting abusive and vulgar content about Hindu deities. This criticism came from various sectors of society, including prominent figures like actor Rajinikanth, who publicly condemned the channel and its Periyarist followers.
Rajinikanth’s vocal support for the Hindu cause garnered significant attention. In response, within a week, Gnanavel discreetly encouraged actor Suriya to issue a statement that ultimately had little impact, aiming to express collective discontent towards Rajinikanth for his stance.
On 22 July 2020, Rajinikanth expressed his gratitude to the Tamil Nadu government for intervening and acting against the Karuppar Koottam YouTube channel. He stated, “Kandhanuku Arohara.”
#கந்தனுக்கு_அரோகரா pic.twitter.com/zWfRVpufXk
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) July 22, 2020
In response, actor Suriya from the Dravidianist camp took to his official X account, stating, “Silence is more dangerous than words spoken. Save… save… save the environment. Let’s break our silence… #EIA2020.” It opposed the central government’s amendments to the EIA Act and aimed to counter Rajinikanth’s narrative, shifting the focus from the hot topic Rajinikanth had brought to light.
பேசிய வார்த்தைகளை விட, பேசாத மௌனம் மிக ஆபத்தானது. காக்க.. காக்க.. சுற்றுச்சூழல் காக்க.. நம் மௌனம் கலைப்போம்.. #EIA2020 https://t.co/le0hgpzHPX
— Suriya Sivakumar (@Suriya_offl) July 29, 2020
It’s important to highlight that this occurred after actor Suriya committed to the film Jai Bhim, directed by Gnanavel. This sequence of events seems far from coincidental.
Vettaiyan – Promoting British Imperialism
Gnanavel, who criticized Rajinikanth for his support of Hinduism, is now released a project Vettaiyan. This film appears to prioritize financial gain while promoting the Dravidian agenda, similar to his previous work, Jai Bhim, which also lacked thorough background research and verification of facts.
Interestingly, in the movie, Gnanavel included special thanks to actor Suriya and the controversial Prakash Raj, seemingly without any clear reason.
Vettaiyan, featuring Rajinikanth, opens with a tribute to Thomas Babington Macaulay, setting a controversial tone right from the start. While the film aims to tackle serious issues like drug abuse in government schools, it quickly devolves into a series of absurd scenarios that feel more like propaganda than genuine storytelling.
Directed by TJ Gnanavel, known for his contentious work in Jai Bhim, the Dravidianist narrative in Vettaiyan introduces a series of implausible events, such as a petty thief making millions through fake QR codes, which raises unnecessary fears about digital transactions. The film’s depiction of the NEET exam further pushes an unfounded agenda, casting it as a tool of privilege without any real evidence.
Visually, Vettaiyan features a musical number that, while colorful, hints at cultural appeasement, which might leave audiences questioning the intent behind such choices.
As Rajinikanth’s character delivers lines that promote Dravidianist ideology, the film reinforces negative stereotypes about Hindus while portraying minority communities in a predominantly positive light. This biased representation detracts from the film’s potential impact and alienates a segment of its audience.
In the end, Vettaiyan feels more like a vehicle for a specific political narrative than a well-crafted film. For longtime fans of Rajinikanth, this alignment with propaganda over storytelling is disheartening, making it difficult to reconcile the superstar’s legacy with his recent choices.
Backlash & Protest
The movie faced severe backlash on social media for being a potential flop and propaganda film. On the other hand, Kovilpatti saw protests erupting against the film’s screening, leading to clashes between locals and theater owners, stirring significant unrest.
Released globally on 10 October 2024, “Vettaiyan” has drawn criticism for its portrayal of a government school in Gandhi Nagar, Kovilpatti, prompting a formal complaint at the Kovilpatti East Police Station. Residents from the Gandhinagar area staged a blockade at the Kovilpatti Lakshmi Theater, demanding the removal of the contentious scenes or the cessation of the screening of the film.
The police intervened to mediate the situation, and the protestors agreed to stand down after being assured that their concerns would be addressed. Tensions escalated in Kovilpatti when local women confronted theatre management, insisting on stopping the Vettaiyan screening. In response to one theatre executive’s remark about political affiliations, “Whoever you vote for, he is the one who has taken this film and released it,” the women asserted, “We will vote for whoever we choose; stop misrepresenting our children’s school.”
Vettaiyan boasts a notable cast, including Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil, and others, with music composed by Anirudh. Released by Red Giant, the film has garnered heightened interest, especially following Rajinikanth’s previous release, Jailer, and the coinciding Ayudha Puja festival celebrations.
TJ Gnanavel faced criticism for allegedly spreading false propaganda in Jai Bhim by misrepresenting the sub-inspector involved in a tribal man’s custodial death as a Vanniyar when the real officer was a Dalit Christian. The Vanniyar community condemned the film for provoking unnecessary division. Additionally, a scene where Suriya’s character questions Brahmin’s trustworthiness further fueled controversy.
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