A Padam, a Tamil film about corporate exploitation of farming communities, arrives in theatres on February 27 after an 18-month legal battle with the censor board. The title is a wink at its own certification history: A Padam translates to A Film, nodding to the adults-only rating the makers had to fight to retain.
Producer-actor Rajaganapathy, who also plays the lead, described the ordeal. “We made the film the way we wanted to, but when we went for the censor certificate, they ordered cuts in more than 45 scenes,” he said. “We spent about 18 months going back and forth in court before we finally got it cleared.”
Written and directed by Casteless Shivago, the film takes on how corporate interests systematically exploit agricultural communities. It was shot across Chennai, Yelagiri, and Yercaud.
Rajaganapathy does double duty in the film, also appearing as B.R. Ambedkar. “Speaking the way Ambedkar spoke about the injustices in this society was a deeply fulfilling experience,” he said.
The first look was unveiled by Thol. Thirumavalavan, leader of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi. Megha Sri plays the female lead, with Chandra Bose, Mascara Asmitha, and Sushmitha in supporting roles. Jose Franklin has composed the music, M. Sathish handles cinematography, and L.V.K. Doss is on the edit.
Produced under the Mangadu Amman Movies banner, A Padam releases on February 27.