A comic comment lands actor Jayaram in fire and his apology resolves the issue

Noted Malayalam and Tamil actor Jayaram Jayaramnever thought in his wild dreams that a simple comic comment he passed recently during a television chat show would land him in a big trouble.

Jayaram's recent Malayalam film 'Happy Husbands was a super hit. In a television chat show participated by Jayaram and his wife and former actress Parvathi, Jayaram remarked to a funny question in the context of the storyline of the film and its heroine's mindset. In that film the heroine was very suspicious about her husband and she always employed dark skin women as domestic help.

During the chat show the anchor asked, "In film the wife is like that and what about in your real life? Have you ever taken a second look at your house maid in real life?"

Taking a cue from the movie Jayaram replied, "My maid is a dark, fat, buffalo-like Tamil woman. How can I even look at her?"

The reply was also quick enough to hold up the good spirit of the show. The humour was enjoyed well by the Malayali viewers. People those who have less humour sense found fault with his remarks.

Synonymous to political parties coming up claiming the only saviours of culture and language with a political stunt-drama for cheap mileage and free publicity, the Pattali Makkal Kachi's (PMK) advocates union come up with a claim that Jayaram insulted Tamil women and Tamil culture. Also PMK's Advocate Forum for Social Justice (AFSJ) filed a writ on February 5 at Egmore Court in Chennai demanding prosecuting Jayaram for defamation.

Ironically Jayaram is a Tamilian who has been brought up in Kerala and started his film career with Malayalam films. Since last 23 years he was in Tamil film and he lives at Valasaravakkam in Chennai with his family.

The general Tamils are at hysterical best and icon worshippers. 15 years ago Tamils built a temple in Tiruchirapalli town for actress Khushboo and worshipped her as goddess despite the fact that she is a Muslim. The same Tamils have been demolished that very temple when Khushboo remarked about the need for protective sex. She said it was fine for girls to have pre-marital sex - but not without taking precautions to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Later, she added that no educated man should expect his wife or girlfriend to be a virgin.

A group of people, said to be activist of Nam Tamizhar Iyakkam of Director Seeman attacked Jayaram's house with petrol bombs, stones and sticks. They smashed the glasses of the car parked, damaged window panes and set fire to chairs. Many of the mementos and awards were set fire through petrol bombs thrown inside the house. 12 persons have been arrested and police are at the look out of the remaining people from the 25 plus gang. Jayaram was at Kozhikode in Kerala participating in a shoot of a new Malayalam film.

In wake of the untoward incidents, Jayaram expressed regret for his unintended remarks on Tamil women on Friday and tendered apology from Kozhikode. Jayaram said his remarks had been misinterpreted. Later he reached Chennai on February 6, Saturday, and in a press conference repeated his apology and requested for "Marappu, Mannippu" (forget and forgive) in typical former DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Annadurai style.

"I did not mean to hurt anybody's feelings. I have been in the Tamil film industry for 23 years and never have I hurt the feelings of Tamils. I am a Tamilian. How can I hurt my mother? If at all my recent comments had disturbed my Tamil sisters, I apologize."

Five police personnel have been put on for round the clock security to Jayaram's house at Valasaravakkam in Chennai.

Actor Thyagarajan, Director K.S. Ravikumar, Confederation of Tamil Nadu Malayali Association President M. Nandagovind and many prominent people from Tamil and Malayalam film industry visited his house at Valasaravakkam.

The Valasaravakkam police have registered a case against film director and leader of the 'Nam Tamizhar Iyakkam' Seeman in connection with the attack on the house of actor Jayaram on Friday. According to police, Mr. Seeman was accused of instigating the attack on the actor.

While eight persons were held soon after the attack on Friday, a special team investigating the case arrested four more on Saturday, including Seeman's brother James Peter.

Mr. Jayaram's house in Lakshmi Nagar was damaged after a group of youths threw stones and set on fire furniture at the main entrance. Valasaravakkam Inspector Murugesan and Sub-Inspector Rajaram were transferred for not taking action to prevent the attack despite intelligence inputs.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on February 6, Saturday, said as actor Jayaram had expressed unconditional apology for his remarks, it would be better to forgive him and leave the matter at that.

Replying to a question, he said if the actor had spoken anything derogatory of Tamil women, it needed to be condemned. But, as he had offered an unconditional apology, it would be better to follow what former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai had said" "Let us forget and forgive."

Now the issue has been resolved and PMK withdrew its agitation against the actor.

Harishchandrachi Factory: A candid Marathi movie not to be missed by any Indian

I hardly knew anything about the versatile writer, director and theatre personality Paresh Mokashi till I watch the movie Harshchandrachi Factory. Earlier I had seen some movies of  Amol Palekar, Amol PalekarDada Kondke and others in theatre and some in Dooradarshan. I learned Harischandrachi Factory was selected as India's official entry to Academy Award in the best foreign language film category, making it the second film after Shwaas (2004), in Marathi cinema to receive this honour. I also read from Malayalam newspapers that Harischandrachi Factory won the best debutant director award from Kerala Chalchitra Film Society and 18th G. Aravindan Puraskaram 2009 from Pune Chalachitra Film Society.

This was my slight information and modest background about the movie Harischandrachi Factory while watching it the other day at Dombivli Puja cinema which helped a lot in enjoying the movie in a different perspective without any barriers or influencing the versatile and genius Director Paresh Mokashi's fame and eminence. I watched the movie sitting amongst the well-educated class audience of Dombivli. It was really an incredible experience. Probably I was the only non-Maharashtrian amongst the audience.

The movie Harishchandrachi Factory starts with showing the early life of father of Indian cinema Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, popularly known as Dadasaheb Phalke, who lived from 30th April 1870 to 16th February 1944. Unlike other bio-pictures, Harichandrachi Factory made on a great man's life in a full-fledged feature film and beautifully narrated the story in an absolute way that will be cherished by any good movie lover.

All will wonder why nobody thought of making a film based on Dadasaheb Phalke almost 97 years after making the first film Raja Harischandra in India by him in 1913. With Dadasaheb Phalke Indian film history begins and he will remain ever the light house of Indian film world. From a humble beginning in 1913, now in India we produce more than 1,000 feature films in all languages. Nobody in any Indian language made a film on Dadasaheb Phalke until Director Paresh Mokashi entered with his debut film in Marathi Harischandrachi Factory.

The story-narration technique used by Paresh Mokashi was amazing. There was not a single moment in the film that lagged or disappointed the audience. The fast phase of the movie and rhythm were exemplary which created a very good mood, fun and interest to watch the next scenes. The events were beautifully connected in such a marvellous manner that there were no dull moments and we are grateful to Director Paresh Mokashi for his brilliance, style and craftsmanship.

The classic humour is the highlight of this movie. Even the tragic events are depicted with light humour. When Phalke wanted to make the 'drama of the curtain', his relatives and well wishers took him to Thane mental hospital was one good example. Another one, while his wife assisting the film processing Phalke does the chapatti making act.

There lies a holy thread of national integrity in the storytelling and the well-picturised scenes removes language barriers to enjoying the movie. Amalendu Chaudhary's excellent camera work equally created the good mood and charm of the movie. Similarly Geeta Godbole's make up, AmitAmit Pawar's editing, Anand Modak's background music and costumes by Mrudul Patwardhan, Mahesh Sherla and Geeta Godbole were fabulous.

I thrive to know Marathi language and culture and therefore I have a feeling that I can understand Marathi better than any ordinary Malayali. This feeling helped me to enjoy the movie better knowing the context, meaning and situations.

The wonderful chemistry that works out between Phalke (played by Nandu Madhav), his wife (played by Vibhavari Deshpande) and their two children, even the new born third child, were splendidly portrayed in the movie. Whatever he does his entire family supports him. Phalke is shown as a gentle husband and father, and as a filmmaker too, he is determined but not too aggressive. Phalke was an eccentric, workaholic man bursting with self-confidence, extremely poised and confident in his performance. Curious to learn the new 'moving form of drama' he takes big risks, selling off his valuables to watch more movies and buy books on the subject. And soon, he takes the biggest risk and embarks on a journey to London, to meet up with filmmakers and learn the craft only with the address of one London film magazine.

Perhaps Dadasaheb could have made more money and fame if he had been accepted the tempting offer from British film world. However, he politely declined the offer and Paresh Mokashi in few words portrayed that situation. It really moved me and I was in tears. Giving long phony speeches, futile lip services and painting face with tricolour is not the real patriotism. Paresh Mokashi described it in few words and well-edited scenes.

No doubt Harischandrachi Factory is a delight to watch. This candid Marathi movie is a must watch and not to be missed by any Marathi Manus or rather by any Indian whether a Malayali, Bihari, Tamilian, Kannadiga, Telugu, Bengali or from any region or state.

Dear Paresh Mokashi, my heartist congratulations for giving us such a beautiful film.

The writer compiled the first Marathi-English-Malayalam dictionary with Marathi grammar and Marathi pronunciation guide in Malayalam

Published in Whiteline Flash