OTTplay Awards 2022: Did you know director Pa. Ranjith gave the title 'Jai Bhim' to the makers of the Suriya starrer?

T.J. Gnanavel's film Jai Bhim garnered rave reviews from critics and has been hailed as a landmark piece of work in the context of caste-based bias and state violence. With a major superstar of the stature of Suriya headlining the film and portraying the real-life advocate Chandru, Jai Bhim broke through the language boundaries and impressed the nationwide audience. And as due acknowledgement, the film was recently adjudged the Best Web Original Film (Popular) at the OTTplay Awards 2022.

Both director T.J. Gnanavel and co-producer Rajshekar Pandian took the stage to receive the award amid great fanfare and spoke of the cultural impact the film has had since its release. As the voice of the unheard and the marginalized, Jai Bhim became more than just a slogan and attracted praise from all corners, including a mention on The Oscars' YouTube channel (as part of the 'Scene at the Academy' segment). And interestingly, the film also has a special association with fellow crusader and filmmaker Pa. Ranjith which was revealed on the same stage by Rajshekar Pandian.

OTTplay awards 2022: Pa. Ranjith wins Filmmaker of the Decade 

Pa. Ranjith, for the uninitiated, was awarded the Filmmaker of the Decade at the OTTplay Awards 2022. During his acceptance speech, Rajshekar Pandian would run up to the stage to gladly announce that it was Ranjith who gave the title of 'Jai Bhim' to the makers of the Suriya starrer. As someone who was always connected to the project and its ethos, Pa. Ranjith is said to have been a prominent source of support to director T.J. Gnanavel and the entire team of Jai Bhim. Ranjith even spoke of the film's relevance and about the poignant social context it is set in.

Jai Bhim is a slogan popularized and used by the followers of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (the Bhim part of the slogan refers to his first name Bhimrao). As a symbol of both triumph and struggle of the Dalits in India, the slogan Jai Bhim has acquired a major cultural identity over the years and is also a strong representation of the revolution.