Cannes 2022: I don't have a problem if people call me a Dalit filmmaker, says Pa Ranjith

The Birsa Munda story needs to be brought to the big screen and highlighted for its social and political significance in the current context, feels Ranjith

Ranjith in Cannes 2022/Twitter

Pa Ranjith made his Cannes debut this year, as he launched his first look of Vettuvam. The Sarpatta Parambarai director, whose films have given voice to the rising Dalit assertion in Tamil cinema, will begin filming Vettuvam later this year. The film will be slated for release in 2023.

Vettuvam discusses the story of an ordinary daily wage labourer’s rise to a position of power, says Ranjith.

The Kabali director and producer Aditi Anand, in an interview with Film Companion, spoke about how Vettuvam came into being.

Aditi Anand says every time Ranjith has any idea, he is bouncing around, there will be a room full of people researching that, which lasts between six months to three years.

"The poster depicts two tigers that balanced against the day and night, which represents how powerful people wage wars, but as soon as they take their eyes off the prize, it’s over. Power shifts instantly. There’s a lot of inequality in Tamil Nadu, especially the delta region, and a lot of caste inequality," observes Aditi, who believes Ranjith is the defining voice of Indian cinema at the moment.

Ranjith chimes in. “It is not a problem if you call me a Dalit filmmaker but it’s also limiting. Babasaheb Ambedkar wrote The Annihilation of Caste, not just for Dalits, he wrote it for Hindus of all castes, for all. People think that Ambedkar only worked for the Dalits. It’s not right. I just want to tell the story of my Dalit life, but don’t want to limit it to that!”

Aditi Anand is all praise for Ranjith. “When you enter his office, there are no film posters. There’s a huge bookshelf and a photo of Ambedkar. The rule is that anybody can come in and talk to Ranjith. It isn’t just about the films but also about the larger mission of ensuring that cultural spaces are populated with people from communities who’ve never had that platform.”

Aditi adds Ranjith has incredible trust in people. “If someone has a desire to deliver, he will give them the wings to ensure that that happens."

In addition, Ranjith is working on his first Hindi film, a drama about tribal icon Birsa Munda.

The film will be shot next year. The Birsa Munda story needs to be brought to the big screen and highlighted for its social and political significance in the current context, feels Ranjith.

Birsa Munda was not only a freedom fighter who fought the British but also a crusader against the exploitation of tribal people by powerful landlords. "I want to talk about the real Birsa. I don’t want to just make a biography. I want to make something in the creative space. It’s very interesting, very challenging work," he concludes.

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