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Aside from being renowned for his exceptional acting skills, which have catapulted him to the ranks of one of India’s finest actors of all time, Kamal Haasan is also revered as a visionary film professional who has made significant contributions to the evolution of the art form. While he introduced Tamil cinema to Movie Magic, a screenwriting software with which he wrote Thevar Magan (1992), his Mahanadhi (1994) was reportedly the first Indian film to use Avid editing software. From Dolby Stereo surround SR technology (Kuruthipunal) and motion control camera (Aalavandhan) to the process of filming in digital format (Mumbai Xpress), Kamal introduced Indian cinema to many techniques that have since been crucial in its journey forward.
As an aspirational person who never compromised on dreaming, Kamal’s career has also seen several ambitious projects hit roadblocks and eventually be shelved due to various issues. However, the most discussed among his unrealised movies remains Marudhanayagam, the actor-filmmaker’s dream project that his fans hope he will revive one day. Originally planned as the film that would mark Kamal’s directorial debut, it was touted as the most expensive film in the history of Indian cinema at the time. Even Marudhanayagam’s launch sent waves across the country, as the ceremony held at MGR Film City, Chennai, was attended by Queen Elizabeth II as the chief guest. The then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, and cinema icon ‘Chevalier’ Sivaji Ganesan were also present.
Estimated to cost the makers Rs 20 crore at the time of its launch, as Kamal Haasan revealed to SCREEN magazine back then, Marudhanayagam’s script was co-written by the thespian and novelist Sujatha. It was bankrolled by the actor-filmmaker’s own production company, Raaj Kamal Films International. Prior to the official launch, they carried out a test shoot in Rajasthan, which alone cost a whopping Rs 1 crore. Opening up about the project, he said, “The story is more fact than fiction. It could have easily been made into a three-part film. But with the main story intact, the historic episode has evolved like the main character himself. With the market for films expanding speedily, the project became even more of a reality. After Gunaa (1991), I wanted to do a different film from the kind I’d been doing. When I heard this ballad and delved into it, I realised the magnitude of the character who lived 275 years ago.”
The actor-filmmaker added, “The character of Marudhanayagam has sunk deep into me. In the last four years, I have evolved with it to the extent that I can empathise with him and draw parallels with his life. It is not ironic that he too hails from the same district, Ramanathapuram, as I. As an actor, I have been working on myself. I have gone on a strict diet control, only fruits, eggs and vegetables for me now! As a producer, I feel I am making the film at the right time. You do audience research and you get into a muddle. The best way to judge is to make a film that you’d like to watch. After all, you’re a part of the audience too.”
Commenting on the production cost, he said, “The film will cost us Rs 20 crore. We want a film which will measure up to international standards. Details like special effects, participation of European actors and music, which plays an important part, have yet to be finalised. I hope to get MS Subbalaxmi to render a song, while Birju Maharaj will choreograph for the film. We will have horse trainers from Australia and assistants of Sir Richard Attenborough. We have some of the latest remote-control cameras, which are fast and sensitive and can capture split-second action.
The actor added, “Marudhanayagam is the story of a warrior who spearheaded the first mutiny against the British. Though he was born a Hindu, he converted to Islam when he was ostracised for his reformist views. He married a Christian girl. He fell foul with the British when he criticised them for the money they collected for local charity. Thus, both the British and his own people gave up on him. He was hanged to death outside his own fort. His body was cut to pieces so that nobody remembered him, but the ballads immortalised him.”
However, Marudhanayagam underwent several production troubles and got delayed inordinately. Although Kamal Haasan tried to revive it many times, he never managed to. By 2014, the project’s estimated budget had reached Rs 100 crore. In a radio talk show on the eve of his 60th birthday celebrations, he said, “I can complete the movie if 10 lakh people could raise the amount by contributing Rs 100 per head.” When asked why it was difficult to find a producer for a Rs 100 crore Tamil movie, he humorously replied that his project would genuinely cost Rs 100 crore and that it won’t be a film with an inflated budget.
During a recent conversation with SCREEN, ace cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, who was supposed to serve as DOP on the movie, revealed that he was offered the project by Kamal after being impressed by his work in director Priyadarshan’s Virasat (1997), a remake of Bharathan’s Thevar Magan, scripted and headlined by Kamal himself.
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