Mohan G. | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, Screenwriter |
| Years active | 2016-present |
| Other political affiliations | Pattali Makkal Katchi, Veera Vanniyar Peravai |
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 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]
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. [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 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 which was meant to protect them from discrimination and violence. 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 its 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]
The district Cyber Crime Police arrested Mohan G 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 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] In 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]
| Year | Film | Director | Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Pazhaya Vannarapettai | Yes | No | |
| 2020 | Draupathi | Yes | Yes | |
| 2021 | Rudra Thandavam | Yes | Yes | |
| 2022 | Bakasuran | Yes | Yes |
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