Marudhanayagam

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Marudhanayagam
File:Marudhanayagam poster.jpg
Launch poster
Directed byKamal Haasan
Produced byKamal Haasan
Written bySujatha
StarringKamal Haasan
Vishnuvardhan
Sathyaraj
Nassar
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyRavi K. Chandran
Production
company
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Marudhanayagam is a long-delayed Indian historical drama film directed and produced by Kamal Haasan under his Raaj Kamal Films International banner. The script was co-written by Haasan, along with novelist Sujatha Rangarajan, and the pair started work on the project in late 1991. Following a test shoot in mid-1997, the film was officially launched at a ceremony held at MGR Film City, Chennai during October 1997, with Queen Elizabeth II appearing as the chief guest.[1]

Touted to be the most expensive film to be produced in India during that period, the film had a proposed budget of ₹30 crores.[2] The film had originally pulled together several prominent names across Indian cinema as its principal cast and crew, including Vishnuvardhan, Amrish Puri and Naseeruddin Shah. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with cinematography handled by Ravi K. Chandran.

Despite beginning it shoot in 1997, the film went through various production troubles and eventually an international company, that had been co-producing the film, backed out. After becoming delayed in 1999, the film has not continued production despite numerous attempts at reviving the project.[3]

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

Following the release of Gunaa (1991), Kamal Haasan had considered directing a historical film and contemplated doing a period musical on the lines of Ambikapathy (1937), with the idea of making a film which had only verses for dialogue. Writer Sujatha then suggested Haasan to look at Khan Saibu Sandai (The War of Khan Sahib), a folk ballad edited by Tamil scholar Vanamamalai, which introduced them to the historical figure of Muhammed Yusuf Khan, an 18th-century warrior.[4][5] Haasan agreed to the prospect and felt that the story had the potential to make a good historical film, with the appeal of depicting the rise from the nadir to the top of Khan's life. Sujatha revealed that nearly 80% of the film would be adapted from Samuel Charles Hill's biography of Khan, also known as Marudha Nayagam, and to only use imagination where no solid or substantial information was available, such as on matters concerning his conversion to Islam.[4] The team continued their research and developed the script of the film for four years.[6] For the first time in India, the team planned to use a computer for screenplay writing, using a particular software called the Movie Magic Screenwriter with Sujatha working as a screenplay doctor.[4] French screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière and Haasan's mentor Ananthu were also involved in readying the screenplay for the film, as were historian S. Muthiah and poets Puviarasu and Gnanakoothan.[7][8][9]

In April 1997, Kamal Haasan confirmed that he had begun finalising work on Marudhanayagam, suggesting it would be the most expensive Indian film ever made.[10] In order to widen the potential business of the film into the Hindi-speaking regions of India, Kamal Haasan chose to spend most of mid-1997 directing the Hindi film Chachi 420 (1997), his first straight Hindi film in twelve years.[11]

Through discussion with the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai, the producers brought in Queen Elizabeth II to appear as the chief guest at the launch of the project, which took place in the MGR Film City on 16 October 1997.[1][6] The Queen spent 20 minutes on the sets of the film, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, politicians S. Jaipal Reddy and G. K. Moopanar, journalist Cho Ramaswamy and veteran actors Sivaji Ganesan and Amrish Puri also in attendance.[12][13] A teaser was shown at the launch, with a pilot video consisting of a battle scene which would feature for a few minutes in the film, with the production of the particular scene costing Kamal Hassan ₹1.5 crores alone.[12] In November 1997, it was reported that the film would cost almost ₹85 crores to make and would subsequently become the most expensive Indian film production till then.[2] The music for the trailer of the film was composed by Karthik Raja in late 1997, when Kamal Haasan and he were working together in Kaathala Kaathala.[14]

Casting[edit]

The original cast included veteran Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan playing the role of Wajid Khan, with supporting actors Nassar, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Amrish Puri also given pivotal roles.[15] Om Puri pulled out of the film in mid-1998 due to prior commitments and Sathyaraj replaced him in the film.[8] When the film was postponed, the team were still waiting to hear back from actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth who were approached to play guest roles. The latter was approached to portray the Maratha ruler, Pratap Singh of Thanjavur.[8][16][17] The team approached Napoleon to play a role in the film, but his unavailability led to actor Pasupathy being cast in his first film role. The actor, who has since gone on to appear in successful films, was set to feature in the role of an antagonist and had shot for five days.[18][19][20] Furthermore, actor Pasupathy Raj and actor-director R. C. Sakthi were signed on to essay other supporting roles.[21][22]

Kate Winslet was offered the lead female role of Marsha, but her rejection led to the makers considering other options.[8] British casting director Priscilla John joined the team to assist with European casting.[11] Haasan and his brother Chandrahasan visited France to audition European actors and were able to shortlist individuals to portray the lead actress and the main antagonist. Screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière accompanied Haasan to further auditions in London, where actors were selected to play characters including that of Stringer Lawrence.[23] In order to physically prepare for his own role, Haasan went on a diet by eating only eggs, fruits and vegetables.[6]

The technical team included costume designer Sarika, Kamal Haasan's wife at the time of production. The make-up duties for the film were shared between Michael Westmore and his apprentice Barry Cooper, with the pair training several Indian make-up artistes during the film's pre-production stages.[24][25] The graphics of the film were produced by Pentafour Software, whose work had been critically acclaimed in Shankar's Jeans (1998). Sabu Cyril was appointed head of art direction, with Prabhaharan and GK being two of his assistants, while director Sundar K. Vijayan, R. S. Shivaji, and G. N. R. Kumaravelan were signed on as second unit directors.[26][27][28] Actor Daniel Balaji briefly also worked on the sets as an unit production manager, having initially set out to work as a second unit director.[29] Vikram Dharma worked on the stunt choreography for the film, alongside an English stunt technician Jerry Crompton.[23]

Ravi K. Chandran was signed on ahead of P. C. Sriram and Santosh Sivan as cinematographer for the film, heading a team including apprentices Ravi Varman and Keshav Prakash, while dancer Birju Maharaj was announced as the choreographer.[30][31] Photographer Sruthi Ramakrishnan partook in the film's early promotional shoots, and was brought to Chennai from Bangalore, while S. Muthukumar served as the film's still photographer during the filming process.[32][25] Karate expert Shihan Hussaini helped provide security for Kamal Haasan during the making of the project.[33] It was announced that music composing would be a collaborative effort between Ilaiyaraaja and Andrew Lloyd Webber with prominent Carnatic singer, M. S. Subbalakshmi also singing for the film.[12] Classical violinist L. Subramaniam had turned down the opportunity to compose the background score for the film, with Ilaiyaraaja subsequently replacing him.[34] Prominent percussionist Zakir Hussain had also discussed working on the film with Kamal Haasan, but eventually did not sign the project.[25]

Pre-production and design[edit]

Costume designer Sarika had begun researching accessories for the film from the early 1990s, soon after the project's inception. With the assistance of V. S. Chandralekha, the Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Archives and Historical Research, she began to put together outfits, uniforms, shoes and headgear of soldiers of the 1700s.[6] Sarika and art director Sabu Cyril travelled to London and Paris to learn about English and French outfits from the period, and collaborate with French historians on the project. The pair visited war museums in London, photocopied books and collected archived material written by historical figures such as Warren Hastings, one of the founders of the British Empire. For the preparation of jewellery props, Sarika used metal dyes on silver, copying 18th century designs and original photographs of South Indian Nawabs.[6]

For a test shoot in Jaipur, Rajasthan during mid-1997, Sarika arranged up to 7,400 costumes and accessories to be ready, and the filming took place at the cost of ₹1 crore. Sarika arranged costumes to reflect British and French army officials, as well as Hindu and Muslim fighters.[8][6][35] For the artwork in the film, Sabu Cyril attempted to gather as many cannons, guns and shields available from the period as possible.[6] Chandran later noted that, in the absence of easy access to computer-generated imagery in the late 1990s, the sheer number of extras cast during the test shoot created logistical difficulties for maintaining crowd control and getting individuals ready for shoot.[36]

During the test shoot, palmyra trees and other vegetation were used to recreate the fauna of the Ramanathapuram district.[37] The team also booked out over 200 acres of land near Irungattukottai and Sriperumbudur to potentially use for battle scenes.[25] To train the cinematography team, Chandran recruited staff members who had worked on international films such as Gandhi (1981) and A Passage to India (1984). Remote-control cameras were also used, with the technology available being the most prolific in Indian films to date.[6]

Filming[edit]

At the launch ceremony, the inaugural shot was filmed with Kamal Haasan, in the persona of Marudhanayagam, hearing and reacting to an imperial announcement read out by the character played by Nassar, with Om Puri's character looking on.[12] Official filming began several months later in Velangudi on 10 August 1998 with a scene of where a companion of the lead character, played by Kamal Haasan, is hanged prompting a brief altercation.[38] The first schedule lasted until October 1998 and involved over a thousand extras, while actors such as Pasupathy also partook in the shoot.[39]

The film ran into production trouble in November 1998, when a sector of the Tamil community alleged that the film would contain historical misinterpretations of one of the community's historical icons.[40] Furthermore, another section argued that the film is a distortion of history and that the central character would be portrayed as a hero of the struggle against the British instead of the traitor they felt he was. The allegations prompted Kamal Haasan to abandon extensive sets erected in Karaikudi, in interior Tamil Nadu, and shift to Chalakudy, in Kerala, to continue work on the project.[40] Action sequences showing Kamal Haasan moving a large rock and battling rivals, were shot in and around Athirappilly Falls.[41] Further scenes featuring Indian classical musicians and dancers were shot in Chromepet in Chennai.[22] By the end of the initial shoot phase, 23 days of shoot had been finished, with 30 minutes of running time completed.[15]

Delay[edit]

I need not only the money but also a powerful distribution network from the west to take hold of it and release it properly because it is an English, French, Tamil film. That is the virtue of the film and it has to be done like that. It is not a project that I can sell and walk away. I can start anytime on this project as I already have the first 30 minutes of it ready. I need to ready another two hours of content.

 — Kamal Haasan, on reviving Marudhanayagam[42]

Works on Marudhanayagam suddenly ceased in late 1998, after a British company that had planned to co-produce the film, backed out on account of India's Pokhran-II nuclear bomb test explosions. The film has been indefinitely postponed since.[43][44] Haasan had invested ₹8 crores of his own wealth into the project through and has since revealed that the film would be revived at a future date.[45] In a turn of events, Haasan announced in November 1999 that shooting will resume in six months after contracts of the technicians and actors were sorted, adding that a French version of the film will also be released, though work eventually did not restart.[46]

Haasan met American producers during his visit to Los Angeles in June 2006 to try to find a financier for the film, but talks were unfruitful.[47] In June 2008, Haasan suggested that the film would be revived after the completion of his directorial venture, Marmayogi, but within months, Marmayogi was shelved after pre-production.[48][49] A two-minute soundless trailer of the film surfaced on the internet in January 2008, with critics claiming that there are "scenes which have the grandeur that stuns you instantly" and that "the visuals are astonishing."[50]

Haasan announced that he intended on restarting work on the film in 2012, mentioning that the film could be made within a budget of ₹150 crores, and may feature contemporary leading actor Rajinikanth in another role.[51] Reports again suggested in 2013 that Haasan would resume the film in 2014 following the completion of his directorial venture, but reports were once again baseless.[52][53] In 2014, film maker Kothanda Ramaiah made a public call to Fox Star Studios and other large production companies to consider reviving the project.[54] Kamal Haasan revealed that Allirajah Subaskaran of Lyca Productions had expressed interest in financing the project during late 2015, but restarting the venture would involve extensive pre-production works and he would collaborate with Lyca Productions on a different venture first.[55][56]

The posters of the film were displayed at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, signalling the film's possible revival.[57] However in February 2018, Haasan revealed that he would only work on two more films before his proposed retirement from acting, Vishwaroopam II and Indian 2.[58] In 2020, Haasan stated, "I envisaged that the titular character would be around 40 years of age, but I’m too old to play him now. So the only option — if we get the money to bankroll it — would be either to change the storyline or cast some other younger actor to play the role."[59]

Music[edit]

Ilaiyaraaja was signed on to score music for the film's soundtrack, while his son Karthik Raja composed the background music for the film's promotional trailer in late 1997.[14] Initially Kamal Haasan planned to bring in prominent British film composer Andrew Lloyd Webber to compose the background music, while Ilaiyaraaja took in charge of composing the songs, suggesting that it will be a collaborative effort between the two composers.[12] Later classical violinist L. Subramaniam was also brought to compose the film score, but he turned down the opportunity which made Ilaiyaraaja to take charge of composing the background score and the soundtrack.[34]

Despite the project being shelved, Ilaiyaraaja finished composing two songs for the film in late 1998. One of the songs were sung by prominent Carnatic singer, M. S. Subbalakshmi, and another song was titled "Poranthathu Panaiyur Mannu" which was composed and sung by Ilaiyaraaja. At an award ceremony held in Chennai, both Kamal Haasan and Ilayaraaja sang few lines from this song, which prompted the fans requesting to release the full song online.[60] The song was released directly in YouTube (as both audio and video formats).[61] The video song featured some footages of the sequences which were filmed during the initial phase of the production and few scenes from the film's trailer as well.[62]

External audio
Official Audio Song at YouTube
Track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Poranthathu Panaiyur Mannu"Kamal HaasanIlaiyaraaja2:46

Legacy[edit]

The delay of the film has been subject to references in media and film. In Venkat Prabhu's Saroja, the character played by Premji Amaren supposedly stumbles upon a DVD of Marudhanayagam, while in Rajesh's Siva Manasula Sakthi, Santhanam's character mockingly asks for a song from the shelved film to be played on the radio. In Adhik Ravichandran's Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (2017), a poster of the film appears in the background of a scene, alongside other prominent shelved Tamil films such as Silambarasan's Manmadhan 2 and the Vikram–starrer Karikalan. Director A. L. Vijay revealed that Marudhanayagam was the inspiration behind his successful 2009 film, Madrasapattinam, which based on India's Independence movement in 1947.[63]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Dose of Indian culture leaves Queen shoeless, speechless – The Times of India". 17 October 1997. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Cover story". Screenindia.com. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  3. ↑ "I can start Marudhanayagam anytime: Kamal Haasan - Times of India". The Times of India.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sudhakar (17 May 1998). "Interview with Sujatha". Oocities.org. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Muthiah, S. (6 March 2018). "The ballad of the Khan Sahib" – via www.thehindu.com.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 "Marudanaayagam History in the making". 12 June 2008. Archived from the original on 12 June 2008.
  7. ↑ "The Hindu News Update Service". Hindu.com. 20 June 2009. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "Kamal's New Project & Obsession ! - soc.culture.indian.kerala | Google Groups". Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  9. ↑ https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/France-is-energised-by-youthful-creativity-Kamal/article14588857.ece
  10. ↑ https://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04kamal.htm
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "interview". 14 January 2000. Archived from the original on 14 January 2000.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 "Rediff On The NeT: Queen Elizabeth visits Kamal Hassan set". Rediff.com. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  13. ↑ "Marudanayagan - Photo Album". 5 December 1998. Archived from the original on 5 December 1998.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Marudanayagam". Members.tripod.com. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "dinakaran". 1 June 2004. Archived from the original on 1 June 2004.
  16. ↑ "Minnoviyam Star Tracks". 20 April 1999. Archived from the original on 20 April 1999.
  17. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20050301232024/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/2001/oct/04-10-01.htm
  18. ↑ "Pasupathy's debut was supposed to be Kamal Haasan's Marudhanayagam - Times of India". The Times of India.
  19. ↑ "The 'Virumaandi' villain makes a mark". The Hindu. 7 May 2004. Archived from the original on 22 June 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  20. ↑ "Tamil Nadu / Tiruchi News : I want challenges in life too: Actor Pasupathy". The Hindu. 29 December 2006. Archived from the original on 4 February 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  21. ↑ "Packaged with skill". The Hindu. 14 March 2003. Archived from the original on 9 October 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Actor PasupathiRaj Exclusive Interview" – via www.youtube.com.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "dinakaran". 14 August 2003. Archived from the original on 14 August 2003.
  24. ↑ "Marudanayagam-Scoop!". Indolink.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 "Marudanayagam (TAMIL MOVIE PLANET)". 10 April 2000. Archived from the original on 10 April 2000.
  26. ↑ Malathi Rangarajan (20 August 2011). "Arts / Cinema : Fun unlimited". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  27. ↑ "State-of-the-art". The Hindu. 1 April 2004. Archived from the original on 7 May 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  28. ↑ "In the right direction". The Hindu. 15 February 2001. Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  29. ↑ https://www.chennaimemes.in/bigil-villain-revealed-unexpected/
  30. ↑ "Stuff dreams are made of". The Hindu. 7 June 2002. Archived from the original on 14 October 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  31. ↑ "Ravi K Chandran – Tamil Cinema Cinematographer Interview – Ravi K Chandran | Ajith | Suriya | Shankar | Murugadoss". Videos.behindwoods.com. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  32. ↑ https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141012/nation-current-affairs/article/ace-photographer-teaches-basics-art
  33. ↑ "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry". www.rediff.com.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Narayan (7 January 2000). "A musical family-Dr.L.Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurthy – rec.music.indian.misc | Google Groups". Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  35. ↑ https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-producer/sathy/sathy-interview.html
  36. ↑ ""Sometimes, Kamal does talk about restarting Marudhanayagam" – Ravi K. Chandran". behindwoods.com. 2014.
  37. ↑ "Minnoviyam Gamut - Marudanayagam - Khan he make it?". 19 February 1999. Archived from the original on 19 February 1999.
  38. ↑ "Marudhanayagam Update!". Indolink.com. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  39. ↑ "REVEALED: Marudhanayagam Unknown Facts : RS Shivaji Interview | About Kamal Hassan" – via www.youtube.com.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "Rediff On The NeT, Movies: Gossip from the southern film industry". Rediff.com. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  41. ↑ https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/marudhanayagam-will-blow-everyones-mind-away-marudhanayagam-kamal-haasan-10-06-13.html
  42. ↑ "I can start Marudhanayagam anytime: Kamal Haasan - Times of India". The Times of India.
  43. ↑ "Kamal's 'Marmayogi' shelved". The Hindu. 12 November 2008. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  44. ↑ "Kamal on Marudanayagam release – Tamil Movie News – Kamal Haasan | Marudanayagam | Udayanidhi Stalin | KS Ravikumar". Behindwoods.com. 5 January 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  45. ↑ "Kamal, a phenomenon". The Hindu. 13 September 2004. Archived from the original on 29 November 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  46. ↑ "Kamal Hassan may restart work on Marudhanayagam". 20 June 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  47. ↑ "Tamil movies : Marudhanayagam: Finally a saviour from Los Angeles?". Behindwoods.com. 6 June 2006. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  48. ↑ "Kollywood Marudhanayagam will be back". STAR Box Office. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  49. ↑ "Kamal's comments – Post – Dasavatharam – Dasavatharam Movie Marudhanayagam Marmayogi Rajinikanth Director K.Balachander". Behindwoods.com. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  50. ↑ "'Marudanayagam' resurfaces – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  51. ↑ "Rajini, Kamal Haasan together on screen". Hindustan Times. 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  52. ↑ "Marudhanayagam to be revived! - Times Of India". 21 September 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013.
  53. ↑ "No Video Found – AP/TS News updates 24x7 – Video – NRIAPNews.com". Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  54. ↑ "Keyaar appeals on behalf of Kamal Haasan's Marudhanayagam". Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  55. ↑ D Meera Chithirappaavai. "Lyca Productions to collaborate with Kamal Haasan". Behindwoods. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  56. ↑ "Kamal's Marudhanayagam revived?". deccanchronicle.com/. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  57. ↑ "Kamal Haasan's 'Marudhanayagam' at the Cannes film market". The Times of India. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  58. ↑ "Official: 'Vishwaroopam 2' and 'Indian 2' are the last two films of Kamal Haasan". Sify.
  59. ↑ The Hindu Net Desk (2 May 2020). "Kamal Haasan says 'Marudhanayagam' will need younger lead actor, and has penned another mythological story". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  60. ↑ Shivakumar, S. (3 March 2016). "Felicitating the maestro". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  61. ↑ "Marudhanayagam song released". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  62. ↑ "Marudhanayagam song: The latest song from Kamal Haasan's film takes brutality to another level!". Bollywood Life. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
  63. ↑ "Marudhanayagam inspired Madharasapattinam – Tamil Movie News". IndiaGlitz. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
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