Chennai: Muthulakshmi, wife of slain forest brigand Veerappan, has called for a ban on the release of 'Vana Yuddham', a film under production that is based on Veerappan's life, calling it an unfair portrayal of her husband's deeds and her character. She also claimed that the Karnataka-based filmmaker attempted to portray Kannada actor Rajkumar, who was kidnapped by Veerappan in 2000 as the hero, and her husband as the villain in his film.
'Vana Yuddham' is directed by filmmaker A M R Ramesh, who Kuppi, which was based on the aftermath of Rajiv Gandhi's assassination. The film is produced jointly by director V Srinivas and K Jegadhish.
"I recently saw 'Vana Yuddham' trailer on TV, and I am deeply distressed about it. The film has not meted out justice to my husband, who is being depicted a villain. Also, the filmmaker's claims that he has met twice me regarding the film, are untrue," said Muthulakshmi, at a media briefing.
Actors Kishore and Vijayalakshmi play Veerappan and Muthulakshmi in the film, shooting of which is 75 per cent done. "The actor playing my role was dressed in skimpy clothes, which is not like me. This has affected me psychologically," rued the brigand's wife. She has pursued legal action against the filmmaker in the Madras High Court, which has posted the matter for hearing later this month.
Though AMR Ramesh said the film was based on extensive research for 11 years, Muthulakshmi dismissed it saying news reports alone would not suffice to do a film on a person like Veerappan whose life was largely spent in hiding.
In response, AMR Ramesh told Express, "In 2005, I met her at her sister's house in Mettur. I spent nearly 5 hours with her to understand the trauma she was going through as the wife of a controversial figure. I had also told her I was making a film on the forest brigand."
He had also met her in 2000.
Shooting will continue on January 18 in Papparapatti, Dharmapuri, where the brigand was killed. The film will also be made in Kannada as 'Attahasa'.
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