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After Pariyerum Perumal, Karnan, and Maamannan, Mari Selvaraj is returning to the cinemas with Vaazhai, which is billed as a page from the childhood of the filmmaker. At the recently conducted trailer launch event, many important people from Mari’s cinematic journey were present, including Pa Ranjith, who backed his debut film, Pariyerum Perumal. Dwelling on the importance of having a space in cinema where Dalit lives can be discussed, and conversations about present-day cinema, and where to go next can be had, Ranjith revealed that his first interaction with Mari happened because the latter had an issue with a character’s portrayal in Madras.
“He had an issue with how his namesake character was designed in my film. That’s how I knew of him first. And later, Pariyerum Perumal happened. It made the world realise why the space for discussion is important, and why such films must be told to the people,” said Ranjith, who didn’t pull back any punches in calling out sections of the audience who only want to troll their films instead of engaging in a thoughtful conversation. “Over the past decade, we have been doing such films, right? Has everyone understood the necessity of this conversation? Have they accepted it? They are waiting for an opportunity to troll us. Many are orchestrated trolling too. But do you think we will be afraid of all this?” asked a fiery Ranjith.
Here’s the Vaazhai trailer:
Talking about one primary difference between himself and Mari Selvaraj, Pa Ranjith said, “He has the courage to make films about the pain he has endured. I am not able to. In fact, when I recreated a scene from my real life in Attakathi, I started crying. But Mari took a very painful first film. I actually asked him if he was ready for the reception from people around him. But I realised that Mari’s courage is his storytelling. He is very calm, composed, and knows how to ensure the conversation is also commercially viable. I am amazed by his conviction.” While discussing the conviction of Mari, and the way his cinematic language has improved with every film, Ranjith also pointed out the hypocrisy in sections of the audience, who can’t digest the platforming of Dalit retribution.
“They love to see the pain in his films. They feel emotionally invested. But when he shows his characters hitting back, for example, in Karnan, they say he is glorifying violence. How long will you teach him to tell his stories? He decides how a film should be told. If you didn’t like Karnan because the character hits back, then who is the problem?” asked Ranjith, urging such dissenters to look inside themselves and question the status quo. “Why aren’t you willing to know why he is forced to raise his voice? Why do many of the privileged want to be questioned in a very sophisticated way? You don’t mind watching films that question you, only if it is done very subtly, and keeps tabs on your goodwill and well-being. Why should we care about your comfort zone?”
Crediting Mari Selvaraj for maintaining his individual voice through his films, Pa Ranjith shared that his decision to screen Vaazhai to all leading filmmakers, including the likes of Mani Ratnam and Nelson Dilipkumar is an important step in the elevation of art. “Across the political spectrum of left and right, Mari has made many important filmmakers watch the film, and documented their response. It is important such films are seen because it gives them an idea of the myriad shades of life in our society,” said Ranjith, adding that a reputed filmmaker’s inclusion in this response video to Vaazhai caught his eye. “Many filmmakers I have looked upto haven’t had any sort of conversation with me after watching my films. For instance, there is a filmmaker that I really like, who I know has seen my films, and isn’t even telling others that he has seen it. This is not a criticism. Our art needs to be seen. Audience might have a choice to see it or not, but it is important that peers are aware of what is happening in cinema. That is how cinema is taken to the next level.”
With music by Santhosh Narayanan and cinematography by Theni Eswar, Vaazhai, which stars Ponvel, Raghul, Kalaiyarasan, Nikhila Vimal, and Dhivya Duraisamy, is set to hit the screens on August 23. The film will be released alongside PS Vinothraj’s Kottukkaali, headlined by Soori and Anna Ben.
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