This Diwali, Tamil film Amaran starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi brings alive the inspiring story of Major Mukund Varadarajan. This poignant tale explores themes of courage, loyalty and sacrifice, produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films. By highlighting a hero who exemplifies selflessness during difficult times, Amaran aims to reconnect Tamil cinema with patriotic themes.

Major Mukund Varadarajan, a member of the 44th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles, was martyred on the field while fighting Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in Kashmir in 2014. The film promises to showcase his extraordinary life and the sacrifices he made for his country. The recently released trailer provides a glimpse of the story, which reveals the pride and honor that Major Mukund and his comrades feel while facing terrorists in Kashmir.

In a powerful moment in the trailer, Sivakarthikeyan rallies his troops and orders, “Tell them this is the face of the Indian Army.” This line reflects Mukund’s spirit and determination, highlighting the bravery of the frontline soldiers. The expression of unwavering resolve of the soldiers reflects the strong spirit of the Rashtriya Rifles, which is known for its courage and dedication.

Controversy regarding the film

Despite the excitement surrounding Amran, it has faced some criticism. Some social media users have labeled the film’s promotional material as “ultranationalist” and “Islamophobic”, shifting the discussion away from the film’s content and criticizing Kamal Haasan’s identity and background. Although this response does not reflect the majority view, it reflects the complexities faced by Tamil cinema when engaging with patriotic themes in today’s political landscape.

Historical context of patriotism in Tamil cinema

The relationship between Tamil cinema and patriotism has evolved significantly over the years. Initially, the stories focused on India’s struggle for independence and colonial resistance. Films like Tyagbhoomi (1939) delivered powerful nationalist messages that deeply affected audiences. After independence, Tamil cinema continued to celebrate local heroes who resisted British rule, as seen in films such as Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959) and Kapallottiya Tamizhana (1961). These stories emphasized a brand of patriotism rooted in regional pride. Notable films such as Hey Ram (2000) explored the complexities of nationalism while paying homage to the independence movement and criticizing religious extremism.

Change of subjects: internal conflicts take center stage

As time progressed, the focus shifted towards the themes of terrorism and internal conflict. Films starring actors like Arjun and Vijayakanth often feature patriotic officers fighting terrorist threats. This portrayal, demonstrating a commitment to national security, appealed to the audience.

Unlike Bollywood, which often highlights the conflict with Pakistan, Tamil filmmakers chose to address internal social injustices. This pivot was in line with the ethos of the Dravidian movement, which emphasized the challenges of caste discrimination and class division. Directors like Shankar raised serious issues of corruption and social betterment through films like Indian (1996) and Mudhalvan (1999), and connected with audiences by focusing on relevant conflicts.

Complexity of modern narratives

In the late 2000s, patriotic stories in Tamil cinema often revolved around counter-terrorism efforts and the complexities of contemporary communal identity. Films such as Unnipol Oruvan (2009) and Thuppakki (2012) feature characters involved in counter-terrorism operations, sometimes framing specific communities as adversaries. This led to complex discussions about nationalism that moved beyond colonial narratives to confront modern social issues.

Kollywood’s unique approach towards patriotism

A common sentiment among the Tamil audience is against Bollywood, which spins war-based stories against Pakistan. This raises important questions about Kollywood’s approach to making war films. Historical narratives in Tamil Nadu have emphasized internal conflicts and social issues rather than grand military battles, reflecting a distinct cultural lens through which these stories are told.

Tamil cinema often portrays the damage caused by conflicts rather than glorifying war. Kollywood seems to have moved on from traditional war narratives and has chosen not to harp on them again and again to validate its patriotism or celebrate national pride every few months. Even with the emergence of directors like Pa Ranjith, Mari Selvaraj and Vetrimaaran, films like Captain Miller – though not entirely a war film – dealt with the freedom struggle without focusing on a single theme.

Impact on Amran

Directed by Rajkumar Periyasamy, known for his work on Rangoon, Amaran looks to tell a story similar to the Hindi film Shershaah (2021), which features Kargil war hero Vikram Batra. Major Mukund’s bravery in confronting terrorists in Shopian should be recognized and Amaran can bring back the beginning of Tamil cinema with patriotic films. By sharing the story of Major Mukund, Amaran invites the audience to honor a life dedicated to the service of the country. It will be interesting to see how the audience reacts to this mix of personal sacrifice and national duty.