'Kaantha' Real Story, Dulquer Salmaan's Role Linked To Tamil Cinema Icon, MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

Dulquer Salmaan is making waves again across Indian cinema with his latest offering, Kaantha. The recent crime period film has blended the mystery and politics of cinema and presented them to viewers through nuanced acting and an intense storyline. Amid this praise, people have also found similarities between Dulquer Salmaan's character and the real-life Tamil superstar of yesteryears, MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. Here's everything you need to know about the inspiration behind the story of Kaantha. 

Is Kaantha based on a true story? 

Kaantha stars Dulquer Salmaan as 'TK Mahadevan', a rising superstar whose ego clashes with his mentor and legendary director, 'Ayya', played by Samuthirakani. As the politics of cinema get dirtier in the film, a murder sheds light on how even the biggest of the stars could fall in an instant, too. Amid this intriguing storyline, people have found a similarity between the plot of Kaantha and the life of MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, a.k.a, MKT. Both an actor and a Carnatic singer, MKT was at the height of his career when a violent scandal burned his career to the ground. 

The similarities were noticed even by the grandson of MKT, who dragged the film to court demanding a stay on its release, citing defamatory content. The bygone era superstar's grandson, B Thiagarajan, has claimed that his grandfather was a kind and spiritual man who completely refrained from alcohol or cigarette consumption. B Thiagarajan also stated that permission wasn't taken from the family members before the portrayal of MKT's fictionalised life on screen. 

However, the makers of Kaantha have denied these claims. Dulquer Salmaan and Rana Daggubati, who are also co-producers of the film, have said that Kaantha focuses on ego conflict but doesn't target any individual. Sources close to the production revealed to the Indian Express that stories of fallen superstars such as MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, MR Radha, and more have inspired the theme of the movie, but it isn't the life story of any one person. 

More about Tamil cinema's first superstar, MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

Before Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Vijay, there was an icon of Tamil cinema, MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, who was conferred the tag of the first superstar of Kollywood. Throughout his career, MKT appeared in a few films, but all of them went on to become blockbuster hits. In addition to being an actor, he was a beloved Carnatic singer. Stories from those times say that people were beckoned to the theatres to see MKT and hear his golden voice. 

However, MKT's career came crashing down when he was arrested in 1944 in connection with the murder of a journalist named Lakshminathan. Along with him comic actor, NS Krishnan and director, SM Sriramulu Naidu were also arrested. However, the director was found innocent by the court. MKT and Krishanan were convicted and remained in jail until 1947. They were acquitted after a fresh retrial. But the jail term proved too scandalous for both actors' careers. A few films of Krishnan, after being released, managed to do good business. However, all of MKT's films were unsuccessful. Hence, once at the peak of his career, MKT spent the rest of his life in squalor and passed away at the age of 49 in 1959. Meanwhile, the murder of Lakshminathan still remains unsolved. 

What are your thoughts on the real story that inspired Kaantha? 

Also Read: 'Sholay: The Final Cut' Re Release X Reviews, Fans Feel Nostalgia And Call It 'Biggest Entertainer'

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