Audience generally welcome films that highlight social issues and provokes thought. This is why directors try to blend their art with a social message. But, too much of anything will often lead to boredom and result in criticism even though the intentions of directors are pure. This appear to be very much true in the case of Tamil director Mari Selvaraj who is obsessed with dishing out films based on caste oppression and atrocities.
Mari Selvaraj’s latest film Bison, which stars Dhruv Vikram in the lead role, is yet another attempt from him to hold a mirror for the society and drive home the point that caste based humiliation and violence on the downtrodden are still prevalent in the country. The film which released last week stirred up a controversy as some groups have protested against it with the accusations that the narrative incites casteism.
Meanwhile, Mari Selvaraj made an emotional request during the film’s success meet in Chennai earlier today. The Karnan director requested everyone not to ask why he has been repeatedly making films based on caste discrimination. He said the question has been affecting him and his work heavily. While talking on stage, Mari said there are more than 300 films based on entertainment coming out every year and asked to leave one of them.
While Mari Selvaraj may opine that he is making caste based films out of conviction and wants to continue his style unopposed , Tamil audience seem to have got offended with his statements as many started criticising him because they feel that making too many films on familiar caste tropes will lead to saturation and create a sort of boredom after a certain point of time.
Some even started doubting his intent and questioned whether he wants to push a personal agenda and glorify his caste just in the garb of creativity through his films.
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