Chennai International Film Festival 2024: TJ Gnanavel Opens Up on Vettaiyan and the Politics Behind Jai Bhim

The Chennai International Film Festival 2024 commenced with much fanfare at PVR Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai, on December 12. R

enowned filmmaker TJ Gnanavel, known for his recent multi-starrer release “Vettaiyan,” attended the festival and shared candid insights.

Gnanavel spoke openly about prioritizing his scripts over actors’ fan bases and addressed the lack of recognition for his 2021 film “Jai Bhim,” attributing it to internal politics.

Gnanavel Discusses “Vettaiyan”

Speaking about the casting of “Vettaiyan,” which featured stalwarts like Rajinikanth, Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Ritika Singh, Dushara Vijayan, Rana Daggubati, and Manju Warrier, Gnanavel emphasized that his choices were guided by the script’s demands.

“The script demanded it, and we secured exactly what we envisioned,” he stated. Addressing the film’s reception, he said, “As soon as the film is released, many people are checking on social media to see how it is doing. On the first day, they started saying that Vettaiyan is a bad movie. It created a mood for those who saw it. There will be no power here to change their views. Even if critics don’t like someone, they start attacking them with purpose.”

“Vettaiyan,” made on a budget of Rs 160 crore, grossed Rs 253.6 crore worldwide. Despite its commercial success, the film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.

The Controversy Surrounding “Jai Bhim”

When asked about awards and recognition, Gnanavel remarked, “Awards are always a probability.”

Reflecting on “Jai Bhim” not receiving National Awards, he said, “The fact that Jai Bhim was not given any National Awards highlights the internal politics at play. If I can only use my stories to educate the audience, I will be content.”

However, some critics have accused Gnanavel of avoiding responsibility for “Vettaiyan’s” shortcomings.

In a recent interview, he attributed the film’s challenges to social media hashtags and pre-release opinions.

Gnanavel claimed, “If the movie ‘Vettaiyan’ releases overseas, a hashtag like ‘disaster’ came beforehand. Now, everyone’s accustomed to watching reviews through social media. Today, we have cultivated watching opinions. On the first day, when you go in with the mindset of it being a ‘disaster,’ it takes about two days to change.”

Gnanavel further criticized reviewers for not addressing these preconceived opinions.

He stated, “Shouldn’t they talk about that? The movie hasn’t even released yet, so why did this (hashtag) appear? I feel there’s a lack of collective responsibility here. Instead of constructive criticism, there seems to be a growing intention to attack them.”

A Mixed Box Office Performance

Contrary to Gnanavel’s claims, “Vettaiyan” had a strong opening, earning ₹31.7 crore on its first day, followed by ₹24 crore on the second day and ₹26.75 crore on the third.

However, it experienced a significant decline during the weekdays, with earnings dropping to ₹5.6 crore on Monday and ₹4.3 crore on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Despite its initial performance, the film failed to sustain momentum, which some attributed to mixed reviews and underwhelming music.

Hashtags and Audience Reception

“Vettaiyan” opened with a tribute to Thomas Babington Macaulay, setting a controversial tone.

The film’s narrative explored issues such as drug abuse in government schools but was criticized for implausible scenarios and an apparent agenda.

For instance, the depiction of a petty thief amassing wealth through fake QR codes raised unnecessary fears about digital transactions.

The film’s portrayal of the NEET exam added to the controversy, framing it as a tool of privilege without concrete evidence. Visually, the movie included a musical number perceived as cultural appeasement, further polarizing audiences.

Rajinikanth’s character delivered lines promoting Dravidianist ideology, which some felt reinforced negative stereotypes about Hindus while portraying minorities positively.

This bias detracted from the film’s narrative and alienated parts of its audience.