Will it be another memorable one?

Most of the recent headlines on Satyaraj are more or less related to his role in ‘Periyar’….



As you all know, Gnana Rajasekaran is recreating the history of the Dravidian movement’s pioneer in his third movie. Many of us may not know much about Periyar except his thoughts as an atheist, as spread out by his movement and disciples. Ironically, those atheist thoughts seem to be the main reason for Ilayaraja to decline the offer for this movie.





It was a surprising development when the news was out that Satyaraj will be enacting Periyar’s role. I don’t remember him doing any serious roles with heavy subject in the recent past….. I mean, for the last couple of years.






It’s also news to me that he has completed 175 plus movies. I could hardly count memorable movies from his lot. As a matter of fact, it has been a long time since I watched his movie completely.

I could recollect only the following movies, where he had done something people could remember.

Nooravathu Naal – For that Cameo henchman role.

Kaaki Chattai – For that ‘Thagadu Thagadu’ and funny dialogues. As mentioned in ‘The Hindu’ interview, he might be the pioneer in mixing the villain characters with some humorous stuff.

Mr.Bharath – For the ‘Ennamma Kannu’ style confrontations with the hero..

Mudhal Mariyathai – For that Cameo role as the lover of Vadivukarasi…

Pagal Nilavu – For the soft spoken villain role, in this Maniratnam’s debut tamil movie..

Vedham pudhithu – For the characterization of ‘Balu Thevar’

Kadalorak kavithaigal – Surprise portrayal as a full stream hero..

Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu – A different movie in that period, from Kamal’s production house..

Paalaivana Rojakkal – Different portrayal once again, with Kalaingar’s dialogues..

Poovizhi Vaasalilae – Fazil made this one memorable to Satyaraj with the screenplay

Nadigan – Must be a starting point for his humor blended hero roles

Vaalter Vetrivel – Even though he tried to emulate ‘Thangapathakam’ Sivaji, he was still distinct.

Amaithi Padai – For the politician character…


In some other movies like Brahmaa, Saavi, Ennamaa Kannu, Adithadi also he had delivered something different from the run-of-the-mill stories.

Irrespective of the proportion of memorable ones to his total, he has not failed his producers much because of his knowledge on the pulse of his audience. That's how he could deliver successful stuff like Looty, Englishkaran etc., even though they are just other entertainers.

However, the stills of ‘Periyar’ seem to be different & promising. Whether it is worth watching, depends on the director's presentation. Let us wait and wach… whether Satyaraj could include this movie also into his list of memorable?













Btw… what kind of songs are they shooting in Malaysia for a theme like ‘Periyar’? Had Periyar been there in Malaysia? I hope the director is placing the song perfectly into the movie, which is not like the commercial movies.. where they fit any type of song anywhere!!!!







Pic Courtesy: The Hindu & Tamilgallery
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