Kamal asks M.S. Subbulakshmi biopic to show the woman

Kamal Haasan had a request for the team making the M.S. Subbulakshmi biopic: show the affection behind the reverence. “There are many people here to worship her. Show the love and care she gave,” he said as M.S. A Legacy on Screen began its journey in Chennai. Rashmika Mandanna will play the singer, with Gowtam Tinnanuri directing and Anirudh Ravichander composing the music.

Kamal gave the ceremonial first clap for the film on September 16, Subbulakshmi’s 110th birth anniversary. The launch took place at the Music Academy, a stage deeply connected to her career, in the presence of her family, musicians and members of the film industry. Rashmika said she felt gratitude at being entrusted with even a small part of Subbulakshmi’s life and promised to give the role her fullest effort.

Tinnanuri said the team’s research had moved its attention beyond the Bharat Ratna and the great concert stages. He wanted to portray a daughter, singer, actor and artist who faced resistance and made sacrifices along the way. Producer Allu Aravind said the script would give particular attention to the difficult years between ages ten and twenty, when she held on to her musical identity.

Producer Rockline Venkatesh said the project had taken seven to eight years of effort and research. Aravind credited him with securing the family’s rights and said Tinnanuri had spent the past year travelling and meeting people while writing the screenplay. The film is being made with producer Bunny Vas, whose team joined Subbulakshmi’s family at the ceremony.

For the music, the producers have set Anirudh a delicate task. Aravind described him as a bridge to younger listeners, while stressing that the team is not trying to recreate Subbulakshmi’s recordings. Lyricist Madhan Karky said the score must speak to a contemporary audience while respecting the stature of the musician at the centre of the story. Anirudh, who launched an independent pop label earlier this year, will be working in a very different musical world here.

Kamal recalled once hoping Subbulakshmi would sing for Hey Ram. Her health prevented that recording, and he later approached D.K. Pattammal for the film. He spoke of Subbulakshmi’s command of several languages and urged the filmmakers to carry her warmth, as well as her achievements, onto the screen. Sivakumar welcomed the Telugu producers’ decision to tell her story, while Samuthirakani said he was glad to make a small contribution to the project.

Musicians performed songs associated with Subbulakshmi during the ceremony, turning the launch into a tribute as well as the start of the film.