Mohan G.

Last updated

Mohan G.
Born
Occupation(s) Film director, Screenwriter
Years active2016-present
Other political
affiliations
Pattali Makkal Katchi, Veera Vanniyar Peravai

Mohan G., also known as Mohan G Kshatriyan, [1] is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter, who primarily active in the Tamil cinema. He is best known for Pazhaya Vannarapettai (2016), Draupathi (2020), Rudra Thandavam(2021) and Bakasuran (2023).

Contents

Personal life

Mohan resides in Royapuram,Chennai. [2] He belongs to the low caste Palli community. Mohan 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. [3] 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. [4]

Career

Mohan 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. [5] [6] [7] Opening to negative reviews, [8] the film was criticized for its alleged intent to uphold casteism. [9]

He worked with Richard Rishi again on Rudra Thandavam (2021). [10] The film claimed that people belonging to the scheduled castes, official designation given to various Indian indigenous groups, misuse Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989, an affirmative action legislation meant to protect them from discrimination and violence. It echoed the political views of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) party. [11] The film, criticised for allegedly promoting caste-pride and encouraging communalist hostility, [12] [13] [14] received mostly negative reviews. [15]

In 2023, Mohan worked on Bakasuran featuring 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 also be with Richard, marking his third collaboration with the actor. [18]

Arrest

The district cyber crime police arrested Mohan in Chennai on 25 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 Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani temple in Palani , Tamil Nadu. [19] The Samayapuram police registered a case against him in response to a complaint filed by Kaviarasu, a manager of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department at the Arulmigu Mariamman Temple. [20] He was represented by a Pattali Makkal Katchi lawyer and released in his own bail by the Judicial Magistrate Court-III in Trichy. [19] [21] The Madurai High Court granted him anticipatory bail on several conditions. He was asked to issue a formal apology on social media and popular newspapers in Tamil Nadu, report to the Palani police station everyday for three weeks, and verify information before making any claims in the future. The Judge also suggested Mohan consider visiting and performing cleaning tasks at the Palani temple. In November 2024, Mohan released an apology video saying, "I express my deepest regret. I will not make any claims like that again without verifying." [22]

Filmography

Films

YearFilmDirectorProducerNotes
2016 Pazhaya Vannarapettai YesNo
2020 Draupathi YesYes
2021 Rudra Thandavam YesYes
2022 Bakasuran YesYes

References

  1. "Director Mohan G Kshatriyan's next film with Selvaraghavan titled 'Bakasuran'". 16 April 2022.
  2. https://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/mohan-g-gets-bail-after-being-arrested-for-his-controversial-statement-on-pazhani-panchamirtham/amp_articleshow/113654047.cms
  3. "Mohan G opens up about his name in social media". 24 February 2023.
  4. "Morale Boosters for the Unsettled Mighty". 3 May 2020.
  5. Sangeetha, P. "A film on Chennai's 2013 fake marriage cartel". The Times of India.
  6. "உண்மையை சொன்ன திரௌபதி படம்... வரிந்து கட்டி வக்காளத்து வாங்கும் கருணாஸ்..!". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd.
  7. "Director of 'Draupathi' says similarities with popular leader are unintentional". The Hindu. 7 January 2020.
  8. https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/draupathi-review-vile-casteist-film-should-have-never-been-made-119153
  9. "Films on inter-caste marriages stoke intense political debate in Tamil Nadu". The New Indian Express. 29 February 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  10. "ருத்ர தாண்டவம் - சினிமா விமர்சனம்". BBC News தமிழ் (in Tamil).
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Singaravel, Bharathy (9 October 2022). "How recent Tamil cinema has tackled gender, caste and communalism on screen". The News Minute. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  14. https://www.newsclick.in/why-tamil-nadu-style-coalitions-non-elite-social-groups-are-vital-politics
  15. "என்னது மிஷ்கின் கையால் இயக்குநர் மோகன் ஜிக்கு விருதா ? அதிர்ச்சியில் ரசிகர்கள்". Dinamani (in Tamil). 15 August 2022.
  16. "Bakasuran first look out: Selvaraghavan looks fierce in Mohan G's next". 26 August 2022.
  17. "Bakasuran remake on the cards". Cinema Express .
  18. Kollywood, Only (28 February 2023). "Richard Rishi and Mohan G to collaborate again!". Only Kollywood.
  19. 1 2 மு.பூபாலன், செ.சல்மான் பாரிஸ்,அ.பாலாஜி (1 October 2024). "Madurai high court Slams and Condition Bail to Director G Mohan". www.vikatan.com/ (in Tamil). Retrieved 28 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. 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)
  21. The Hindu Bureau (24 September 2024). "Palani panchamirtham row: Director Mohan G arrested, released on own bail". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  22. Natarajan, Malavica (25 November 2024). ""நான் அப்படி செய்திருக்கக் கூடாது.. ஆழ்மனதிலிருந்து மன்னிப்பு கேட்கிறேன்".. சரணடைந்த இயக்குநர்". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 28 November 2024.