Ranjith is known for directing the 2012 release Indian Rupee.
Giving an example of his father Padmarajan’s 1986 film Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil, Anantha revealed that people in the south had difficulty understanding the Valluvanad slang.
Malayalam director Ranjith whipped up a storm after he commented on Mohanlal. In an interview with The New Indian Express, Ranjith pointed out the Lucifer star for his Thrissur dialect in the 1987 fan-favourite movie Thoovanathumbikal, directed by acclaimed late director Padmarajan. Needless to mention, the remark did not sit well with Mohanlal fans, who objected to the statement.
Ranjith also drew comparisons between Mohanlal and Mammootty’s contrasting approaches to film. Now, Anantha Padmanabhan, the son of Padmarajan has put forward his opinions on the matter. And his response to the controversy lies in favour of Ranjith.
In an elaborate Facebook post, Ananthapadmanabhan defended Ranjith as he wrote, “Ranjith has got all right to say what he thinks. It may be true that the slang was not pitch-perfect and might have had some variations”. Giving an example to his father Padmarajan’s 1986 film Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil, Anantha revealed that people in the south had difficulty understanding the Valluvanad slang that was used in the film. “It was to avoid such a debacle that my father gave a popular appeal to the Thrissur slang used in ‘Thoovanathumbikal,” he added.
Highlighting some of Ranjith’s words, Anantha Padmanabhan continued that Ranjith received the Padmarajan Award for Best Film in 2012 for his film Indian Rupee. Marking Ranjith’s words at the award ceremony, Anantha wrote, “Ranjith said: For every new age filmmaker, it is a pilgrimage to reach the Himalayas that is Padmarajan; to discover it and to learn the intricacies”. In his concluding statement, Anantha revealed that Ranjith’s words were misinterpreted as the filmmaker had a huge respect for Padmarajan. “There is respect. No need for any controversies” he stated.
During the conversation with The New Indian Express Ranjith said, “Lal’s slang in the movie is very boring. Even director Padmarajan never cared to put in special efforts to make it perfect. What he is speaking is not anywhere near to Thrissur slang. It is just a comic version”.
Thoovanathumbikal revolves around the story of a simpleton named Jayakrishnan who falls for two girls at the same time. But the real confusion comes when he has to choose only one girl for marriage. Sumalatha and Parvathi played the lead actresses.
