Trigger warning: This article contains references to death.
Dulquer Salmaan is currently enjoying the success of his film Lucky Bhaskar directed by Venky Atluri. As the actor is set to appear in the lead role for the Tamil period film Kantha, it is being reported that in the film he will play the character of Tamil cinema’s first superstar MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar.
According to the buzz going on on the internet, Dulquer Salmaan is likely to play the lead role in the superstar, which will focus on his life, including his involvement as a suspect in the Lakshmikanthan case. However, it has not been officially confirmed by the filmmakers yet.
For those unaware, MK Tyagaraja Bhagavathar, also known as MKT, was a popular actor and Carnatic singer who worked in cinema from 1934 to 1960. Various critics and film historians consider him the first superstar of Tamil cinema. He made 14 films in his career, out of which 10 were box-office hits.
However, the superstar was once involved in the controversial case of Tamil journalist Lakshmikanthan. In 1944, the journalist was stabbed to death by unknown assailants, making it one of the most high-profile cases of the time.
Actors MK Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, NS Krishnan and director SM Sriramulu Naidu became suspects in the case and were arrested by the police in the investigation conducted under the then Madras Presidency.
While Naidu was acquitted, MKT and Krishnan were found guilty and sent to jail. In 1947, the actors appealed to the Privy Council, which ordered a retrial, which ultimately proved their innocence and acquitted them, although the real murderers were never found.
However, the arrest is said to have demoralized MKT, causing him to lose interest in films and seek solace in temples. Even though he continued to present concerts, the actor died at the age of 49, having lost all his money fighting the case and being left in extreme poverty.
Moving forward, apart from Dulquer Salmaan, the film will also star actors Rana Daggubati and Bhagyashree Borse in lead roles. Apart from this, the actor is also expected to be seen in the lead role in the Telugu language film Akasham Lo Oka Tara which is rumored to star Sai Pallavi in the lead role.
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