I will utilise every platform to break caste differences: Director Pa Ranjith

Speaking at the audio launch of 'Pariyerum Perumal', Pa Ranjith spoke about his art, politics and how his work points at the society at large.
I will utilise every platform to break caste differences: Director Pa Ranjith
I will utilise every platform to break caste differences: Director Pa Ranjith
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“When I talk about caste differences, I am identified as a caste fanatic,” said director Pa Ranjith. Speaking at the audio launch of Pariyerum Perumal, his first feature production, he said that despite the level of opposition, he will continue to use art as a tool to talk about his political ideology.

“I will utilise every space available to me in order to break the ups and downs and the caste differences prevalent in the society. There is a lot of criticism against me. Many people are talking about me. We are living in a society in which the difference between a person who encourages caste-based differences and a person who talks against caste is not identified. There should be a mindset to oppose such caste-based society. I need more support to get that mindset,” he said.

Pa Ranjith is the producer of the movie Pariyerum Perumal, directed by debut director Mari Selvaraj. Starring Kathir and Anandhi in lead roles, the movie also features Yogi Babu. The music for the movie is scored by Santhosh Narayanan.

Speaking to TNM earlier about the representation of caste politics in cinema, Mari Selvaraj had said, “There are many films which come out about these issues but nobody realises what they are saying. They are either condemned or ignored. Ranjith annan’s victory is massive and that’s why everyone is speaking about it. If he hadn’t succeeded, nobody would be talking about it. People assume that such stories cannot succeed, that this politics will not have an appeal.”

Pa Ranjith is known for his anti caste politics and the empowering portrayal of people from the Dalit communities. While his movie Madras portrayed the influence that politics has on the youth in North Chennai, Kabali and Kaala portrayed the lives of the oppressed in Malaysia and Dharavi respectively.

Pa Ranjith is also known to challenge the status quo quite often through music. During the Margazhi music season in Chennai in 2017, he put together a musical band named, ‘Casteless Collective’, with 19 members who performed songs based on Tamil folk, rap and hip hop genres. The songs were mostly based on reservation, manual scavenging and the agrarian crisis and earned accolades from the people.

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