The Madras High Court has issued notices to actor Dulquer Salmaan and the makers of the upcoming film Kaantha after a petition was filed by the family of legendary Tamil actor and musician M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT).
The petition, submitted by B. Thiagarajan, MKT’s grandson, alleges that Kaantha portrays his grandfather in a false and defamatory manner. According to the plea, the film allegedly depicts MKT as a man of “loose morals,” which the family considers deeply disrespectful.
Thiagarajan stated that his grandfather was not only a pioneering Tamil film star but also a revered Carnatic musician known for his divine voice, modest lifestyle, and charitable work. He further noted that though Bhagavathar was once implicated in a false criminal case, he was later acquitted and lived with dignity until his death in 1959.
The petition claims that the makers neither sought permission nor informed the family before creating a film based on Bhagavathar’s life. It argues that portraying a person recognizably on screen without consent amounts to defamation, even if the character’s name is changed.
The plea seeks to restrain the filmmakers from releasing, streaming, or screening Kaantha, and specifically requests a ban on showing Bhagavathar as immoral or impoverished. The Madras High Court has asked Dulquer Salmaan and the production team to respond, with the next hearing scheduled for November 18.
This legal development has cast uncertainty over Kaantha’s planned release on November 14. Whether the film will hit theatres as scheduled or face delays now depends on the court’s decision and how the makers address the controversy.
Meanwhile, Kaantha’s pre-release buzz has been relatively muted despite an impressive trailer. Ticket bookings have opened to a slow start, and audiences seem to be waiting for reviews before deciding to watch it. The film’s theme, rooted in Tamil cinema’s early era, may not strongly resonate with Telugu audiences, making the opening weekend crucial for its box office fate.
