Jignesh Mevani, MLA of Vadgam constituency in Gujarat, met Kollywood director Pa Ranjith at the latter's home in Chennai on January 14. The director put out a tweet yesterday on his official Twitter page.
An unexpected lovely moment.Meeting with Comrade @jigneshmevani80.Thanks for coming all the way home.All the best for your work & my solidarity.Keep doing what you are doing.Much respect. pic.twitter.com/YLc5r5lPff
— pa.ranjith (@beemji) January 14, 2018
Jignesh Mevani also put out a tweet on the meet saying,
With P. Ranjith, director of super duper hit film 'Kabali'. It was wonderful meeting him. Such a lovely person he is.Enjoyed Pongal with him pic.twitter.com/ZjRbKoRi9j
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) January 14, 2018
Earlier yesterday, the social activist turned politician, Jignesh Mevani, also put out a series of tweets that indicated his presence in the state.
Today we submitted a memorandum to the governor of Tamilanadu seeking proper rehabilitation of the 55 thousand famillies facing displacement
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) January 14, 2018
Happy Pongal and happy kite flying day to the people of india in general and Tamilnadu and gujarat in particular
— Jignesh Mevani (@jigneshmevani80) January 14, 2018
In December 2017, Jignesh Mevani contested and won the Gujarat Legislative Assembly elections from Vadgam constituency as an independent candidate with support from the Indian National Congress and Aam Aadmi Party. He came into the limelight after he led the Una protest which took place after Dalit men were attacked in 2016. Jignesh has also been vocal about the recent Bhima-Koregaon violence in Maharashtra, which led to protests by Dalit groups in the state.
Director Pa Ranjith is well-known for his politically vocal films and movements. His film Madras is widely considered to be the first Tamil film which heavily used Dalit symbols in its narrative. Kabali, too, spoke about caste oppression. His recent initiative, 'The Casteless Collective' - a Tamil music band, was also widely appreciated and discussed by many.
The meeting between the two comes at an unexpected time and can be seen as the coming together of two like-minded and formidable forces.