‘MetroPlus’ sits with a group of pre-lifers who make their acting world famous in the Tamil film ‘Pagaiwanuku Arulavai’ directed by Anees.
It was the first time that 44-year-old S Satyamurthy faced the camera. Originally from Salem, Satya, who is now a resident of Chennai and is an LIC agent, went on the set Pagivanuku Arulvai Last month, the film’s director donated to a prisoner’s organization asked by Anees.
Until the cameras stopped rolling, Satya was overcome by wuzu; This was a serious drawback to the days he spent in Puzhal Central Prison (and before that in Vellore Central Prison) – in 2002 after serving a 16-year sentence after being convicted on a murder charge.
Sathya is one of at least 40 former prison inmates who will receive acting credits in Anees’ upcoming film which is set in a prison. Produced by 4 Monkey Studios, Pagivanuku Arulvai, Starring M Sasikumar, is expected to be released in May 2021. “People called home from the set of the film to say that Mr. [Anis] We have also been made prisoners in the film, ”said R Srinivasan, 43, a friend of Sathya and another former life guard.
Life beyond prison
It is at Anees’ office in Valsaravakkam, Chennai that I meet Sathya, Srinivasan and eight others, all of whom are in their forties and have served between 14 and 25 years on murder charges.
Photograph taken during a theater workshop held at Puzhal Central Prison in 2016; Filmmaker Anees and music composer Ghibaran are present. Photo courtesy: Special arrangement
Anees takes the banker lightly because no one in the group is a stranger to him; He has been associated with her since 2016, when he first went to the theater to train inmates at the Pujhal Central Jail.
Anees is the secretary of Prison Theater, an agency he co-founded with Vetri Durisamy, the son of former Chennai mayor Saeedai Duraisamy, who serves as its president.
The group I meet includes’Sirai Gan‘B Manikandan – Known for his unstoppable ability to beat a rhythm from an empty vessel and repeat verses about life inside the prison. Mani has sung a song composed by Ghibaran Pagivanuku Arulvai. The 45-year-old ‘Thirukkural’ also has Munusamy who has two bachelor’s degrees, which he obtained inconsistently; Munusamy can recite the entire Tirukkural in error. Another, on a keyboard, specializes in playing a dholak, among others, while a third is an “excellent poet”, clarifying Anees – clearly, everyone has an eye for art.
Finding out such talent – as a means of providing distraction or assistance in rehabilitation – was the aim when Anees went to prison in 2016.
Sponsored by the Tamil Nadu government, the filmmaker also had the support of former Jail Superintendent-I, Pujhal, V Rukmani Priyadarshini.
She says, “The aim was to improve through art.” We had to create people who had no experience of emotions… such as love, mercy and kindness, even if it meant artificially causing them. In a play, these convicts had the opportunity to become one with the role and feel these feelings. ”
Emotionally Srinivasan also describes the time he spent in the workshop. He said, “We liked their way of communicating and teaching. He also ate prison food with us. We had all these new feelings that we wanted to connect with, and that meant that we were looking forward to the workshop the next day, ”he explains.
This presents a frightening situation, especially as Srinivasan follows it, “There have been many times when many of us have woken up at night and felt as if we are going to ing ourselves off”. Prison life is hopeless. ”
Blur
This means a lot of prisoners that someone coming from outside treats them with respect – a privilege that has not been extended to them by society – and keeps a promise.
In Anees (white T-shirt) with former life during the shooting of ‘Pagaiwanuku Arulvai’. Photo courtesy: Special arrangement
Says Munusamy, “So many people come inside the jail and promise us jobs. But the words he spoke while we were closed and how he treated us while we were out. It was therefore surprising that Anees sir made his point. It was unexpected and so it was very sweet. “
After a week-long workshop, Anees organized the first play, which was then titled Pujal Prisoners Hasiakararagal – Damu of 45-year-old Thiruvoor says that “we came to know that there were variations of laughter”. Since then the group has performed in at least three different locations, including SPACES in the city of Besant.
With their screen debut imminent, is the group looking for opportunities in further films? Anees intervenes: “I have clearly told them that there is not an option. The last thing I want is for one of them to walk from one production office to another with their photos in hand. I want them to dedicate a little time from their routine to art… this venture [of making them a part of his film] They have to build a discussion to provide opportunities and break the social stigma against former prisoners. “
Munusamy said that the stigma is real, often affecting your face and other members in the family. “A relative of mine is looking for a groom for his daughter and a possible coalition has come to know that there is someone in our family who went to jail for murder. He was a deal breaker. In villages, words kolagaara kudumbam (Killer’s family) is common usage. It is wrong to say, but it happens. Anees says: “I hope the stigma is broken.”
Priorities matter
While this group of former lifers exemplifies novel ideas such as using theater for the miracle of rehabilitation work, these initiatives are few and far between. Reason: Such harmony depends upon acceptance from the service of the jail authorities. Srinivasan’s comment: “The prison environment is a reflection of the mentality of the jail authorities.”
Actor m. With Sasikumar (center) on the set of the group ‘Pagaiwanuku Arulvai’. Photo courtesy: Special arrangement
Rukmani agrees. “This is true. For me, reform was a priority. As an officer, you need to work harder than ever to call on your duty to make changes sometimes because it is not easy for the government to sign such proposals.” . Some officers like to run a strict administration and there are others who encourage prisoners to cultivate crops. Therefore, the mindset really matters. “
Now Superintendent of Vellore Central Jail, Rukmani, however, remarked that he is happy for his former inmates and will be watching a movie featuring “My Prisoners” in a theater when it is released. the feeling is mutual. Sathyamurthy says, “We know Rukmini Maam will be happy with our progress.”
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