Methagu
| Methagu | |
|---|---|
 Release poster | |
| Directed by | T Kittu |
| Written by | Methagu Thiraikkalam Muthu Cheliyan & Thirukumaran |
| Starring | Kutti Manni Lizzie Antony |
| Cinematography | Riyaz |
| Edited by | CM Elangovan |
| Music by | Pradeep Kumar |
Production company | Methagu Thiraikkalam |
| Distributed by | BS Value OTT |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Budget | ₹60 lakh |
Methagu (transl. His Excellency) is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language political thriller film based on the life of Velupillai Prabhakaran. The release of the film was postponed several times due to legal issues, but finally had the digital release through OTT platform 'BS Value' on 25 June 2021 with positive response.[1][2][3][4]
The film is based on the early years of Velupillai Prabhakaran and the events in the life of Prabhakaran and his vision.[5]
Plot
[edit]Methagu is a Tamil biographical film that explores the early life of Velupillai Prabhakaran, set against the backdrop of growing ethnic tensions in Sri Lanka. The film begins by portraying the systemic discrimination faced by the Tamil population, particularly through government policies that prioritize the Sinhala language and marginalize Tamil identity. Peaceful protests led by Tamil leaders are shown to be repeatedly ignored or violently suppressed by authorities. As a young boy, Prabhakaran witnesses riots, arrests, and brutal attacks on innocent civilians, leaving a deep emotional impact on him. These early experiences plant the seeds of anger and resistance, as he begins to question why his community continues to suffer despite choosing non-violence.
As Prabhakaran grows into his teenage years, the situation worsens, and the film intensifies its focus on the failures of peaceful political movements. Students and activists are harassed, detained, and even killed, creating an atmosphere of fear and frustration among Tamil youth. A major turning point occurs when a Tamil cultural gathering is violently attacked, leading to tragic loss of life and reinforcing the sense that justice cannot be achieved through peaceful means. Prabhakaran becomes increasingly disillusioned and starts connecting with other like-minded individuals who share his anger and desire for change. During this phase, the film carefully shows his transformation—from a quiet observer of injustice to someone who begins actively thinking about resistance and retaliation.
In the final part of the film, Prabhakaran takes decisive steps toward organized resistance, marking the beginning of his journey into militancy. He starts forming small groups, planning actions, and preparing to fight back against what he sees as oppression. The movie does not fully explore his later life or leadership but instead focuses on this crucial turning point where his ideology solidifies. By the end, he is no longer just a witness to injustice but someone ready to challenge it through armed struggle. Methagu ultimately presents itself as an origin story, aiming to explain how repeated violence, failed diplomacy, and personal experiences shaped Prabhakaran into a revolutionary figure, setting the stage for the path he would go on to follow[6]
Cast
[edit]- Kutti Manni as Velupillai Prabhakaran
- Eeshwar Baasha
- Vinod Sagar as Constable #455
- Lizzie Antony as Sirimavo Bandaranaike[7]
- Rindhu Ravi as Vallipuram Parvathy
- Rajasekar
- Raja
- Anand
- Vijay Soundar
- Rajavel Perumal as a street theatre artist
- Velupillai as Raja
- Mayor Duraiyappa as Aranganathan
Production
[edit]Methagu and Methagu 2 movies were plotted, created and produced by Methagu Thiraikkalam LLP which was managed by Thanjai C.Kumar and Denmark Sumesh Kumar with the help of well known Tamil poet Mr.Thirukumaran from Ireland and Mr. Muthu Cheliyan. T.Kittu's screenplay based on Velupillai Prabhakaran's early life was bankrolled by World Tamils for Tamil Eelazha Thiraikkalam was made in a limited budget of ₹60 lakh (equivalent to ₹71 lakh or US$73,000 in 2023).[8] Actor Kutti Manni was signed to play Prabhakaran, while Lizzie Antony played Sirimavo Bandaranaike, the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.[7] Praveen Kumar and Ilanko were signed as composer and editor respectively, with Riyaz cranking the camera.
Release
[edit]The film was expected to release on 26 November 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed and finally it was released on 25 June 2021, through OTT platform 'BS Value'. The trailer to the film was released on 20 October, revealing it as a bio-pic of slain leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and his supporters worldwide trended a Tamil hashtag #Methagu on Twitter.[9] Film personalities Sathyaraj, Vetrimaaran, G. V. Prakash Kumar, Naveen and M. Sasikumar supported the film through their Twitter social media handle.[10][5]
Reception
[edit]A critic from Ananda Vikatan praised the film as a commendable effort, because it portrayed the transparent life of a freedom fighter, even though the film lacks the necessary budget.[1] Film critic Baradwaj Rangan wrote that with all its faults, this is an important biopic about a very crucial figure not only in Sri Lankan politics, but also in Tamil Nadu politics.[4] S.S.Lenin from Hindu Tamil Thisai wrote that even though the film lacks the budget, it portrayed the pain and life of Tamil Eelam people impactfully.[3] Nasikethan of Dinamani wrote that the film has been enjoyed by people because, it portrayed truth.[11]
Sequel
[edit]Methagu 2 was released on 19 August 2022 on the OTT platform tamilsott.com.[12][13]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "மேதகு - சினிமா விமர்சனம்". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ↑ லெனின், எஸ்.எஸ். (2 July 2021). "ஓடிடி உலகம்: திரும்பிப் பார்க்கவைத்த 2 படங்கள்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- 1 2 "Methagu: தமிழீழ விடுதலை போராளி பிரபாகரனின் 'மேதகு' திரைப்படம் வெளியீடு!". News 18 (in Tamil). 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- 1 2 Rangan, Baradwaj (8 July 2021). "Methagu Is An Important Biopic About Prabhakaran But It Doesn't Create The Impact It Should". Film Companion. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
- 1 2 A, Ashik (26 June 2021). "ஈழத்தின் போராட்டத்தை உலகுக்கு உரக்கச் சொல்லும் படம்: மேதகு குறித்து திரையுலக பிரபலங்கள்!". Samayam (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ↑ Alfred Jeevaranjan, Jason (3 November 2021). "Methagu: A Review Of The Movie On Velupillai Prabhakaran". Colombo Telegraph. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
- 1 2 "'மேதகு' தந்த மகிழ்ச்சி". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 20 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ↑ Kathirvelan, N (8 July 2021). "காவல்துறையை ஏமாற்றித்தான் படம் எடுத்தோம்!". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 24 July 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ↑ Jayakumar, G.Babu (21 October 2020). "LTTE supporters trend 'Methagu' hashtag on Twitter, praise Prabhakaran". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ↑ "பிரபாகரன் பயோபிக் : ஓடிடியில் வெளியான 'மேதகு' - வாழ்த்திய தமிழ் திரையுலகினர்". Puthiya Thalaimurai (in Tamil). 25 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 July 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
- ↑ Nasikethan (1 July 2021). "துணிச்சலுடன் வெளிவந்துள்ள மாவீரனின் தன் வரலாறு - மேதகு; தொடக்கம்தான், முடிவல்ல". Dinamani. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
- ↑ "ஆகஸ்ட் 19 இல் வெளியாகும் மேதகு 2". ETV (in Tamil). 14 August 2022. Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ↑ "Methagu 2 Movie Review: 'மேதகு 2' திரைப்படத்தின் திரை விமர்சனம்". tamillive.news (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 13 September 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.