Mohan G. also known as Mohan G Kshatriyan[1] is an Indian film director, film producer, screenwriter and Vanniyar caste activist who has directed Tamil language films focusing on Vanniyar caste people. He became known for the thriller drama Pazhaya Vannarapettai (2016), and has gone on to make films including the dramas Draupathi (2020), Rudra Thandavam(2021) and Bakasuran (2023)
Mohan G. | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, Screenwriter |
| Years active | 2016-present |
| Other political affiliations | Pattali Makkal Katchi, Veera Vanniyar Peravai |
Personal life
editMohan G revealed that he had used his name "Mohan G Kshatriyan" during the release of his film Pazhaya Vannarapettai (2016) and claimed to have an attraction towards the name. He also claimed that "Kshatriyan" is a name which represents warrior spirit and also said that he has his caste name written as "Vanniya Kula Kshatriya" in his birth certificate.[2] During an interview in February 2020, Mohan G said the suffix "Kshatriyan" in his name means as “someone who defends society” and said that he is totally unaware of what other varnas do.[3]
Career
editMohan began his directorial career with Pazhaya Vannarapettai (2016), before making Draupathi (2020). The film had to be crowdfunded as no producer was willing to produce the film, fearing it would incite controversy.[4][5][6] Opening to negative reviews,[7] the film was criticized for its alleged pro-casteism stand and intent to uphold casteism.[8] The film eventually earned 23 times its budget at the box office, and prompted further attention for Mohan as a filmmaker.[9]
He subsequently collaborated with Richard again on Rudra Thandavam (2021).[10] The film claimed that people from Scheduled Castes misuse the law meant to protect them from discrimination and violence, the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It echoed the political views of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party.[11] The film was criticised for promoting caste-pride, creating hostility amongst different communities and for it's alleged casteist and communalist politics.[12][13][14] The film received mostly negative reviews from critics.[15]
In 2023, Mohan worked on Bakasuran, which starred Selvaraghavan and Natty in the lead roles.[16] Following the film's release, Mohan noted that he had been approached by Telugu film producer Bellamkonda Suresh to direct the Telugu version of the film.[17]
Mohan's next film will star actor Richard Rishi, marking the third collaboration between the actor and the director.[18]
Arrest
editThe district Cyber Crime Police arrested Mohan G in Chennai in 25th September 2024 for hurting the sentiments of Hindu devotees and Hindus during a YouTube interview where Mohan claimed that impotency-inducing pills were mixed with panchamirtham at the Palani Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani temple.[19] His arrest was after a case filed by the Samayapuram police after the Manager of the Samayapuram Arulmigu Mariamman temple submitted a complaint against Mohan G.[20] The next day Mohan G was represented by a lawyer from Pattali Makkal Katchi and he was released in his own bail by the Judicial Magistrate Court-III in Trichy.[19][21] After his request of Anticipatory bail, the Madurai high court granted him anticipatory bail on several conditions including giving apologies in Social media and popular English and Tamil newspapers in Tamil Nadu, attending the Palani police station everyday for three weeks to sign and that he should not be a mouth-militant and verify information before making any claims. The Judge also suggested that if Mohan G really cared about the Palani temple, he can go there and do cleanliness work.[19] On November 2024, Mohan G released a video of his apology saying "I express my deepest regret. I will not make any claims like that again without verifying."[22]
Filmography
edit- Films
| Year | Film | Director | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Pazhaya Vannarapettai | Yes | No | |
| 2020 | Draupathi | Yes | Yes | |
| 2021 | Rudra Thandavam | Yes | Yes | |
| 2022 | Bakasuran | Yes | Yes |
References
edit- ^ "Director Mohan G Kshatriyan's next film with Selvaraghavan titled 'Bakasuran'". 16 April 2022.
- ^ "Mohan G opens up about his name in social media". 24 February 2023.
- ^ "Morale Boosters for the Unsettled Mighty". 3 May 2020.
- ^ Sangeetha, P. "A film on Chennai's 2013 fake marriage cartel". The Times of India.
- ^ "உண்மையை சொன்ன திரௌபதி படம்... வரிந்து கட்டி வக்காளத்து வாங்கும் கருணாஸ்..!". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd.
- ^ "Director of 'Draupathi' says similarities with popular leader are unintentional". The Hindu. 7 January 2020.
- ^ https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/draupathi-review-vile-casteist-film-should-have-never-been-made-119153
- ^ "Films on inter-caste marriages stoke intense political debate in Tamil Nadu". The New Indian Express. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
- ^ "Director Mohan G: Rudra Thandavam is not an anti-conversion film". Cinema Express.
- ^ "ருத்ர தாண்டவம் - சினிமா விமர்சனம்". BBC News தமிழ் (in Tamil).
- ^ Ganeshan, Balakrishna (22 December 2021). "How cinema is used as a vehicle for hate politics in Tamil Nadu". The News Minute. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Rajamani, Rajesh (28 December 2021). "The Super and Snoozy Seven: Presenting the best, and worst, of Tamil cinema in 2021". Newslaundry. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ Singaravel, Bharathy (9 October 2022). "How recent Tamil cinema has tackled gender, caste and communalism on screen". The News Minute. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ https://www.newsclick.in/why-tamil-nadu-style-coalitions-non-elite-social-groups-are-vital-politics
- ^ "என்னது மிஷ்கின் கையால் இயக்குநர் மோகன் ஜிக்கு விருதா ? அதிர்ச்சியில் ரசிகர்கள்". Dinamani (in Tamil). 15 August 2022.
- ^ "Bakasuran first look out: Selvaraghavan looks fierce in Mohan G's next". 26 August 2022.
- ^ "Bakasuran remake on the cards". Cinema Express.
- ^ Kollywood, Only (28 February 2023). "Richard Rishi and Mohan G to collaborate again!". Only Kollywood.
- ^ a b c மு.பூபாலன், செ.சல்மான் பாரிஸ்,அ.பாலாஜி (1 October 2024). "Madurai high court Slams and Condition Bail to Director G Mohan". https://www.vikatan.com/ (in Tamil). Retrieved 28 November 2024.
{{cite web}}: External link in|website= - ^ Desk, Online (24 September 2024). "Palani panchamirtham row: Filmmaker Mohan G held, left out on bail; judge says arrest made in haste". dtnext. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ The Hindu Bureau (24 September 2024). "Palani panchamirtham row: Director Mohan G arrested, released on own bail". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ Natarajan, Malavica (25 November 2024). ""நான் அப்படி செய்திருக்கக் கூடாது.. ஆழ்மனதிலிருந்து மன்னிப்பு கேட்கிறேன்".. சரணடைந்த இயக்குநர்". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 28 November 2024.