Marudhanayagam
{{short description|Unfinished Tamil film by Kamal Haasan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Marudhanayagam poster.jpg
| caption = Launch poster, c. 1997
| director = Kamal Haasan
| writer = Sujatha
| producer = Kamal Haasan
| starring = Kamal Haasan
| cinematography = Ravi K. Chandran
| music = Ilaiyaraaja
| studio = Raaj Kamal Films International
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
}}
Marudhanayagam ({{IPAc-en|m|ər|u|ð|ə|n|ɑː|j|ə|ɡ|ə|m}}) is an unfinished Indian historical drama film directed and produced by Kamal Haasan under his Raaj Kamal Films International banner. The script was co-written by Haasan, along with novelist Sujatha, and the pair started work on the project in late 1991. Following a test shoot in mid-1997, the film was officially launched at a ceremony held at MGR Film City, Chennai during October 1997.
Touted to be the most expensive film to be produced in India during that period, the film had a proposed budget of {{INR}}80 crores. The film had originally pulled together several prominent names across Indian cinema as its principal cast and crew. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with cinematography handled by Ravi K. Chandran.
Despite beginning its shoot in 1997, the film went through various production troubles and eventually an international company, that had been co-producing the film, backed out. After becoming delayed in 1999, the film has not continued production despite numerous attempts at reviving the project.
Cast
{{cast listing|
- Kamal Haasan as Maruthanayagam Pillai
- Vishnuvardhan as Wajid Khan
- Sathyaraj
- Nassar
- Amrish Puri
- Naseeruddin Shah
- Pasupathy
- ponganesh as Natarajan{{Cite web |title=90s Tamil Actor Babu Shares His Experience About Working With Kamal Haasan {{!}} Marudhanayagam |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TaDeiGJqpQ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219105055/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TaDeiGJqpQ |archive-date=19 February 2024 |access-date=16 August 2024 |website=YouTube}}
- R. C. Sakthi
}}
Production
= Development =
Following the release of Gunaa (1991), Kamal Haasan had considered directing a historical film and contemplated doing a period musical on the lines of Ambikapathy (1937), with the idea of making a film which had only verses for dialogue. Writer Sujatha then suggested Haasan to look at Khan Saibu Sandai (The War of Khan Sahib), a folk ballad edited by Tamil scholar Vanamamalai, which introduced them to the historical figure of Muhammed Yusuf Khan, an 18th-century warrior.{{Cite web |date=17 May 1998 |title=An interview with Sujatha |url=http://www.oocities.org/sujathapage/english/einterview1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313032908/http://www.oocities.org/sujathapage/english/einterview1.html |archive-date=13 March 2011 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Oocities.org |publisher=India on the Net}}{{Cite news |last=Muthiah |first=S. |author-link=S. Muthiah |date=6 March 2018 |title=The ballad of the Khan Sahib |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/the-ballad-of-the-khan-sahib/article22946523.ece |url-status=live |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109030335/https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/the-ballad-of-the-khan-sahib/article22946523.ece |archive-date=9 November 2020}} Haasan agreed to the prospect and felt that the story had the potential to make a good historical film, with the appeal of depicting the rise from the nadir to the top of Khan's life. Sujatha revealed that nearly 80% of the film would be adapted from Samuel Charles Hill's biography of Khan, also known as Marudha Nayagam, and to only use imagination where no solid or substantial information was available, such as on matters concerning his conversion to Islam. The team continued their research and developed the script of the film for four years.{{Cite web |title=Marudanaayagam History in the making |url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/oct31/south1.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612015034/http://www.screenindia.com/old/oct31/south1.htm |archive-date=12 June 2008 |access-date=19 November 2020 |website=Screen}} For the first time in India, the team planned to use a computer for screenplay writing, using a particular software called the Movie Magic Screenwriter with Sujatha working as a screenplay doctor. French screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière and Haasan's mentor Ananthu were also involved in readying the screenplay for the film, as were historian S. Muthiah and poets Puviarasu and Gnanakoothan.{{Cite web |date=20 June 2009 |title=Chalo Chennai, says Kamal Haasan |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200906201340.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110153829/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200906201340.htm |archive-date=10 November 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu |agency=IANS}}{{Cite web |date=13 November 1998 |title=Kamal's New Project & Obsession ! |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.indian.kerala/c/GMzxkrgWmzc?pli=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019134556/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.indian.kerala/c/GMzxkrgWmzc?pli=1 |archive-date=19 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=Google Groups}}{{Cite news |date=25 August 2016 |title=France is energised by youthful creativity: Kamal |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/France-is-energised-by-youthful-creativity-Kamal/article14588857.ece |url-status=live |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603231425/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/France-is-energised-by-youthful-creativity-Kamal/article14588857.ece |archive-date=3 June 2021}}
In April 1997, Kamal Haasan confirmed that he had begun finalising work on Marudhanayagam, suggesting it would be the most expensive Indian film ever made.{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Suparn |date=4 April 1997 |title=Kamal Hasan returns to Bollywood |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04kamal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230906045444/http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04kamal.htm |archive-date=6 September 2023 |access-date=30 November 2020 |website=Rediff.com}} To widen the potential business of the film into the Hindi-speaking regions of India, Kamal Haasan chose to spend most of mid-1997 directing the Hindi film Chachi 420 (1997), his first straight Hindi film in twelve years.{{Cite web |date=29 January 1998 |title=AN INTERVIEW WITH KAMAL HAASAN |url=http://members.xoom.com/lovefort/interview.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000114004754/http://members.xoom.com/lovefort/interview.html |archive-date=14 January 2000 |access-date=16 May 2021 |website=Tamil Movie Planet}}
Through discussion with the British Deputy High Commission in Chennai, the producers brought in Queen Elizabeth II to appear as the chief guest at the launch of the project, which took place in the MGR Film City on 16 October 1997.{{Cite web |date=17 October 1997 |title=Dose of Indian culture leaves Queen shoeless, speechless |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/99CA44DC65DFBC7465256941001E4BCD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315230127/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/99CA44DC65DFBC7465256941001E4BCD |archive-date=15 March 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Times of India}} The Queen spent 20 minutes on the sets of the film, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, politicians S. Jaipal Reddy and G. K. Moopanar, journalist and veteran actor Cho Ramaswamy and veteran actors Sivaji Ganesan and Amrish Puri also in attendance.{{Cite web |title=Marudanayagan {{!}} For Queen And Country |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Nov/marud-pic/marud6.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981205120255/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Nov/marud-pic/marud6.htm |archive-date=5 December 1998 |access-date=29 November 2020 |website=Indolink}} A teaser was shown at the launch, with a pilot video consisting of a battle scene which would feature for a few minutes in the film, with the production of the particular scene costing Kamal Hassan {{INR}}1.5 crores alone. In November 1997, it was reported that the film would cost almost {{INR}}85 crores to make and would subsequently become the most expensive Indian film production till then.{{Cite web |title=Cover story |url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/dec19/cover.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429070150/http://www.screenindia.com/old/dec19/cover.htm |archive-date=29 April 2010 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Screen}} The music for the trailer of the film was composed by Karthik Raja in late 1997, when Kamal Haasan and he were working together in Kaathala Kaathala.{{Cite web |title=Marudanayagam |url=http://members.tripod.com/s_jagadish/kamal/maruda.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121013007/http://members.tripod.com/s_jagadish/kamal/maruda.html |archive-date=21 November 2011 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Members.tripod.com}}
= Casting =
The original cast included veteran Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan playing the role of Wajid Khan, with supporting actors Nassar, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Amrish Puri also given pivotal roles.{{Cite web |date=12 December 1998 |title=An Exclusive Interview With Kamalhaasan |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/12-12-98/kamal.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040601180853/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/12-12-98/kamal.htm |archive-date=1 June 2004 |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Dinakaran}} Om Puri pulled out of the film in mid-1998 due to prior commitments and Sathyaraj replaced him in the film. When the film was postponed, the team were still waiting to hear back from actors Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth who were approached to play guest roles. The latter was approached to portray the Maratha ruler, Pratap Singh of Thanjavur.{{Cite web |last=Gobichetipal |first=Chandra |date=5 November 1997 |title=Marudanayagam Kamal's Jewel in the Crown |url=http://www.minnoviyam.com/star/track13.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990420122743/http://www.minnoviyam.com/star/track13.html |archive-date=20 April 1999 |access-date=20 May 2021 |website=Minnoviyam}}{{Cite web |date=4 October 2001 |title=An Interview With Film Director K.S.Ravikumar |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/2001/oct/04-10-01.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050301232024/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/2001/oct/04-10-01.htm |archive-date=1 March 2005 |access-date=12 January 2022 |website=Dinakaran}} The team approached Napoleon to play a role in the film, but his unavailability led to actor Pasupathy being cast in his first film role. The actor, who has since gone on to appear in successful films, was set to feature in the role of an antagonist and had shot for five days.{{Cite news |date=15 January 2021 |title=Pasupathy's debut was supposed to be Kamal Haasan's Marudhanayagam |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/pasupathys-debut-was-supposed-to-be-kamal-haasans-marudhanayagam/articleshow/80282690.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605185849/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/pasupathys-debut-was-supposed-to-be-kamal-haasans-marudhanayagam/articleshow/80282690.cms |archive-date=5 June 2021}}{{Cite web |date=7 May 2004 |title=The 'Virumaandi' villain makes a mark |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/05/07/stories/2004050701420100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040622062006/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/05/07/stories/2004050701420100.htm |archive-date=22 June 2004 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=29 December 2006 |title=I want challenges in life too: Actor Pasupathy |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/29/stories/2006122908280200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204045802/http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/29/stories/2006122908280200.htm |archive-date=4 February 2007 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}} Babu, an actor who became paralysed after a stunt accident in the early 1990s, was cast in the role of a disabled nobleman.{{Cite AV media|title=90s Tamil Actor Babu Shares His Experience About Working With Kamal Haasan {{!}} Marudhanayagam |date=21 September 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TaDeiGJqpQ |publisher=Omicron Theta Sapien |language=Ta |via=YouTube |access-date=19 February 2024 |archive-date=19 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219105055/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TaDeiGJqpQ |url-status=live }} Furthermore, actor Pasupathy Raj and actor-director R. C. Sakthi were signed on to essay other supporting roles.{{Cite web |date=14 March 2003 |title=Packaged with skill |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/03/14/stories/2003031401080200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031009030450/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/03/14/stories/2003031401080200.htm |archive-date=9 October 2003 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q36iRR9gcEU |title=KamalHassan Marudhanayagam story revealed {{!}}{{!}} Actor PasupathiRaj Exclusive Interview {{!}}{{!}} Singam TV |date=28 February 2020 |publisher=Sumantv Tamil |access-date=30 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602220622/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q36iRR9gcEU |archive-date=2 June 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}
Kate Winslet was offered the lead female role of Marsha, but her rejection led to the makers considering other options. British casting director Priscilla John joined the team to assist with European casting. Haasan and his brother Chandrahasan visited France to audition European actors and were able to shortlist individuals to portray the lead actress and the main antagonist. Screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière accompanied Haasan to further auditions in London, where actors were selected to play characters including that of Stringer Lawrence.{{Cite web |date=8 June 1998 |title="Marutha Naayaham" 200 Days Shooting: Kamalhaasan's Exclusive Interview |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/8-06-98/kamal.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030814113413/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/interviews/8-06-98/kamal.htm |archive-date=14 August 2003 |access-date=20 November 2020 |website=Dinakaran}} To physically prepare for his own role, Haasan went on a diet by eating only eggs, fruits and vegetables.
The technical team included costume designer Sarika, Kamal Haasan's wife at the time of production. The make-up duties for the film were shared between Michael Westmore and his apprentice Barry Cooper, with the pair training several Indian make-up artistes during the film's pre-production stages.{{Cite web |title=Braveheart of Kodambakkam! |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/marud/marud.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609003458/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/Specials/97/Oct/marud/marud.htm |archive-date=9 June 2011 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Indolink}}{{Cite web |title=Braveheart of Kodambakkam! |url=http://members.xoom.com/lovefort/mathu.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000410193201/http://members.xoom.com/lovefort/mathu.html |archive-date=10 April 2000 |access-date=16 May 2021}} The graphics of the film were produced by Pentafour Software, whose work had been critically acclaimed in Shankar's Jeans (1998). Sabu Cyril was appointed head of art direction, with Prabhaharan and GK being two of his assistants, while director Sundar K. Vijayan, R. S. Shivaji, and G. N. R. Kumaravelan were signed on as second unit directors.{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=20 August 2011 |title=Fun unlimited |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/fun-unlimited/article2376204.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409154552/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/fun-unlimited/article2376204.ece |archive-date=9 April 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |date=1 April 2004 |title=State-of-the-art |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/04/01/stories/2004040100530100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040507000216/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/04/01/stories/2004040100530100.htm |archive-date=7 May 2004 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |date=15 February 2001 |title=In the right direction |url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/02/15/stories/09150222.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110153925/http://www.hindu.com/2001/02/15/stories/09150222.htm |archive-date=10 November 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}} Actor Daniel Balaji briefly also worked on the sets as a unit production manager, having initially set out to work as a second unit director.{{Cite web |last=Dhiwaharan |first=21 September 2019 |title="BIGIL" Villain REVEALED !! UNEXPECTED !! |url=https://www.chennaimemes.in/bigil-villain-revealed-unexpected/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627222859/https://www.chennaimemes.in/bigil-villain-revealed-unexpected/ |archive-date=27 June 2021 |access-date=27 June 2021 |website=Chennai Memes}} Vikram Dharma worked on the stunt choreography for the film, alongside an English stunt technician Jerry Crompton.
Ravi K. Chandran was signed on ahead of P. C. Sriram and Santosh Sivan as cinematographer for the film, heading a team including apprentices Ravi Varman and Keshav Prakash, while dancer Birju Maharaj was announced as the choreographer.{{Cite web |date=7 June 2002 |title=Stuff dreams are made of |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/06/07/stories/2002060701120500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031014045917/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/06/07/stories/2002060701120500.htm |archive-date=14 October 2003 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |last=Venkatesh |title=Ravi K Chandran Interview |url=http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/director-interview/ravi-k-chandran-16-07-2011.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902072801/http://www.videos.behindwoods.com/videos-q1-09/director-interview/ravi-k-chandran-16-07-2011.html |archive-date=2 September 2011 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Behindwoods}} Photographer Sruthi Ramakrishnan partook in the film's early promotional shoots, and was brought to Chennai from Bangalore, while S. Muthukumar served as the film's still photographer during the filming process.{{Cite web |date=12 October 2014 |title=Ace photographer teaches basics of art |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141012/nation-current-affairs/article/ace-photographer-teaches-basics-art |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627225314/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141012/nation-current-affairs/article/ace-photographer-teaches-basics-art |archive-date=27 June 2021 |access-date=27 June 2021 |website=Deccan Chronicle}} Karate expert Shihan Hussaini helped provide security for Kamal Haasan during the making of the project.{{Cite web |date=10 November 1998 |title=Kamal gets protection |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/10ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325145635/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/10ss.htm |archive-date=25 March 2018 |access-date=7 February 2018 |website=Rediff.com}} It was announced that music composing would be a collaborative effort between Ilaiyaraaja and Andrew Lloyd Webber with prominent Carnatic singer, M. S. Subbalakshmi also singing for the film.{{Cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Rajitha |last2=Moorthy |first2=N Sathiya |title=The Queen & Kamal |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/oct/16queen.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118071009/http://www.rediff.com/news/oct/16queen.htm |archive-date=18 January 2018 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Rediff.com}} Classical violinist L. Subramaniam had turned down the opportunity to compose the background score for the film, with Ilaiyaraaja subsequently replacing him.{{Cite web |last=Narayan |date=7 January 2000 |title=A musical family-Dr.L.Subramaniam and Kavita Krishnamurthy |url=https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.indian.misc/c/GUul_du04M0/m/s3VVxBT9VvEJ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918142419/https://groups.google.com/g/rec.music.indian.misc/c/GUul_du04M0/m/s3VVxBT9VvEJ |archive-date=18 September 2022 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=Google Groups}} Prominent percussionist Zakir Hussain had also discussed working on the film with Kamal Haasan, but eventually did not sign the project.
= Pre-production and design =
Costume designer Sarika had begun researching accessories for the film from the early 1990s, soon after the project's inception. With the assistance of V. S. Chandralekha, the Commissioner of Tamil Nadu Archives and Historical Research, she began to put together outfits, uniforms, shoes and headgear of soldiers of the 1700s. Sarika and art director Sabu Cyril travelled to London and Paris to learn about English and French outfits from the period, and collaborate with French historians on the project. The pair visited war museums in London, photocopied books and collected archived material written by historical figures such as Warren Hastings, one of the founders of the British Empire. For the preparation of jewellery props, Sarika used metal dyes on silver, copying 18th century designs and original photographs of South Indian Nawabs.
For a test shoot in Jaipur, Rajasthan during mid-1997, Sarika arranged up to 7,400 costumes and accessories to be ready, and the filming took place at the cost of {{INR}}1 crore. Sarika arranged costumes to reflect British and French army officials, as well as Hindu and Muslim fighters.{{Cite web |title=Sathy – Interview |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-producer/sathy/sathy-interview.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603114444/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-producer/sathy/sathy-interview.html |archive-date=3 June 2021 |access-date=27 June 2021}} For the artwork in the film, Sabu Cyril attempted to gather as many cannons, guns and shields available from the period as possible. Chandran later noted that, in the absence of easy access to computer-generated imagery in the late 1990s, the sheer number of extras cast during the test shoot created logistical difficulties for maintaining crowd control and getting individuals ready for shoot.{{Cite web |last1=Sudharshan |last2=Venkat |year=2014 |title=CINEMATOGRAPHER RAVI K CHANDRAN INTERVIEW |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-cinematographer/ravi-k-chandran/an-exclusive-interview-with-veteran-cinematographer-ravi-k-chandran-part-2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117021048/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-cinematographer/ravi-k-chandran/an-exclusive-interview-with-veteran-cinematographer-ravi-k-chandran-part-2.html |archive-date=17 January 2021 |access-date=30 May 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}
During the test shoot, palmyra trees and other vegetation were used to recreate the fauna of the Ramanathapuram district.{{Cite web |last=Gobichetipal |first=Chandra |title=Khan he make it? |url=http://www.minnoviyam.com/articles/maruda.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990219193141/http://www.minnoviyam.com/articles/maruda.html |archive-date=19 February 1999 |access-date=12 May 2021 |website=Minnoviyam}} The team also booked out over 200 acres of land near Irungattukottai and Sriperumbudur to potentially use for battle scenes. To train the cinematography team, Chandran recruited staff members who had worked on international films such as Gandhi (1981) and A Passage to India (1984). Remote-control cameras were also used, with the technology available being the most prolific in Indian films to date.
= Filming =
At the launch ceremony, the inaugural shot was filmed with Kamal Haasan, in the persona of Marudhanayagam, hearing and reacting to an imperial announcement read out by the character played by Nassar, with Om Puri's character looking on. Official filming began several months later in Velangudi on 10 August 1998 with a scene of where a companion of the lead character, played by Kamal Haasan, is hanged prompting a brief altercation.{{Cite web |title=Potti Tamil Movie News (Marudhanayagam Update!) |url=http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/News/98/October/pnews_11159.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609005113/http://www.indolink.com/tamil/cinema/News/98/October/pnews_11159.html |archive-date=9 June 2011 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Indolink}} The first schedule lasted until October 1998 and involved over a thousand extras, while actors such as Pasupathy also partook in the shoot.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EisykxBVfnU |title=REVEALED: Marudhanayagam Unknown Facts : RS Shivaji Interview {{!}} About Kamal Hassan |date=18 August 2018 |publisher=IndiaGlitz Tamil Movies |access-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516011839/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EisykxBVfnU |archive-date=16 May 2021 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}
The film ran into production trouble in November 1998, when a sector of the Tamil community alleged that the film would contain historical misinterpretations of one of the community's historical icons.{{Cite web |date=10 November 1998 |title=Kamal gets protection |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/10ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325145635/http://www.rediff.com/movies/1998/nov/10ss.htm |archive-date=25 March 2018 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Rediff.com}} Furthermore, another section argued that the film is a distortion of history and that the central character would be portrayed as a hero of the struggle against the British instead of the traitor they felt he was. The allegations prompted Kamal Haasan to abandon extensive sets erected in Karaikudi, in interior Tamil Nadu, and shift to Chalakudy, in Kerala, to continue work on the project. Action sequences showing Kamal Haasan moving a large rock and battling rivals, were shot in and around Athirappilly Falls.{{Cite web |date=10 June 2013 |title=Kamal's Marudhanayagam will blow everyone's mind away ... |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/marudhanayagam-will-blow-everyones-mind-away-marudhanayagam-kamal-haasan-10-06-13.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627225316/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-10/marudhanayagam-will-blow-everyones-mind-away-marudhanayagam-kamal-haasan-10-06-13.html |archive-date=27 June 2021 |access-date=27 June 2021 |website=Behindwoods}} Further scenes featuring Indian classical musicians and dancers were shot in Chromepet in Chennai. By the end of the initial shoot phase, 23 days of shoot had been finished, with 30 minutes of running time completed.
= Delay =
{{quote box
|quote=I need not only the money but also a powerful distribution network from the west to take hold of it and release it properly because it is an English, French, Tamil film. That is the virtue of the film and it has to be done like that. It is not a project that I can sell and walk away. I can start anytime on this project as I already have the first 30 minutes of it ready. I need to ready another two hours of content.
|source= — Kamal Haasan, on reviving Marudhanayagam{{Cite news |last=R |first=Manigandan K. |date=November 8, 2014 |title=I can start Marudhanayagam anytime: Kamal Haasan |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-can-start-Marudhanayagam-anytime-Kamal-Haasan/articleshow/45070350.cms |url-status=live |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525044546/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/I-can-start-Marudhanayagam-anytime-Kamal-Haasan/articleshow/45070350.cms |archive-date=25 May 2021}}
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Works on Marudhanayagam suddenly ceased in late 1998, after a British company that had planned to co-produce the film, backed out on account of India's Pokhran-II nuclear bomb test explosions. The film has been indefinitely postponed since.{{Cite web |date=12 November 2008 |title=Kamal's 'Marmayogi' shelved |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200811121860.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103121643/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200811121860.htm |archive-date=3 November 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}}{{Cite web |date=22 April 2003 |title=Funds elude Kamal Hassan's mega flick |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/funds-elude-kamal-hassans-mega-flick/articleshow/44105868.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019191331/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/funds-elude-kamal-hassans-mega-flick/articleshow/44105868.cms |archive-date=19 October 2012 |access-date=24 February 2023 |website=The Economic Times}} Haasan had invested {{INR}}8 crores of his own wealth into the project through and has since revealed that the film would be revived at a future date.{{Cite web |date=13 September 2004 |title=Kamal, a phenomenon |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/13/stories/2004091301120100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041129104701/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/09/13/stories/2004091301120100.htm |archive-date=29 November 2004 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Hindu}} In a turn of events, Haasan announced in November 1999 that shooting will resume in six months after contracts of the technicians and actors were sorted, adding that a French version of the film will also be released, though work eventually did not restart.{{Cite web |last=Govardhan |first=D. |date=12 November 1999 |title=Kamal Hassan may restart work on Marudhanayagam |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/EBED2E9B65F6A81F65256940004B7BC3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405015540/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/EBED2E9B65F6A81F65256940004B7BC3 |archive-date=5 April 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=The Economic Times}}
Haasan met American producers during his visit to Los Angeles in June 2006 to try to find a financier for the film, but talks were unfruitful.{{Cite web |date=6 June 2006 |title=Marudhanayagam: Finally a saviour from Los Angeles? |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/june-06-01/06-06-06-marudhanayagam.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021072923/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/june-06-01/06-06-06-marudhanayagam.html |archive-date=21 October 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Behindwoods}} In June 2008, Haasan suggested that the film would be revived after the completion of his directorial venture, Marmayogi, but within months, Marmayogi was shelved after pre-production.{{Cite web |title=Kollywood Marudhanayagam will be back |url=http://www.starboxoffice.com/kollywood/article/article.aspx?bid=2008/June/News_20080619_91 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401055046/http://www.starboxoffice.com/kollywood/article/article.aspx?bid=2008%2FJune%2FNews_20080619_91 |archive-date=1 April 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=STAR Box Office}}{{Cite web |date=21 June 2008 |title=Kamal's comments: post Dasavatharam release |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-07/dasavatharam-21-06-08.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628072707/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-articles/movies-07/dasavatharam-21-06-08.html |archive-date=28 June 2011 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Behindwoods}} A two-minute soundless trailer of the film surfaced on the internet in January 2008, with IndiaGlitz claiming that there are "scenes which have the grandeur that stuns you instantly" and that "the visuals are astonishing."{{Cite web |date=21 January 2008 |title='Marudanayagam' resurfaces |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/36038.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122122657/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/36038.html |archive-date=22 January 2008 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=IndiaGlitz}}
Haasan announced that he intended on restarting work on the film in 2012, mentioning that the film could be made within a budget of {{INR}}150 crores, and may feature contemporary leading actor Rajinikanth in another role.{{Cite web |date=16 February 2012 |title=Rajini, Kamal Haasan together on screen |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/RegionalFlavours/Rajini-Kamal-Haasan-together-on-screen/Article1-812305.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216221742/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/RegionalFlavours/Rajini-Kamal-Haasan-together-on-screen/Article1-812305.aspx |archive-date=16 February 2012 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=Hindustan Times}} Reports again suggested in 2013 that Haasan would resume the film in 2014 following the completion of his directorial venture, but reports were once again baseless.{{Cite web |date=21 September 2013 |title=Marudhanayagam to be revived! |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/news-interviews/Marudhanayagam-to-be-revived/articleshow/22688215.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921030923/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-18/news-interviews/42182392_1_kamal-haasan-marudhanayagam-vishwaroopam |archive-date=21 September 2013 |access-date=4 October 2013 |website=The Times of India}} In 2014, filmmaker Keyaar made a public call to Fox Star Studios and other large production companies to consider reviving the project.{{Cite web |date=18 February 2014 |title=Fox Star Studios should revive Marudhanayagam |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/keyaar-appeals-on-behalf-of-kamal-haasans-marudhanayagam.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216101432/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-14/keyaar-appeals-on-behalf-of-kamal-haasans-marudhanayagam.html |archive-date=16 February 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016 |website=Behindwoods}} Kamal Haasan revealed that Allirajah Subaskaran of Lyca Productions had expressed interest in financing the project during late 2015, but restarting the venture would involve extensive pre-production works and he would collaborate with Lyca Productions on a different venture first.{{Cite web |last=D Meera Chithirappaavai |date=4 February 2016 |title=KAMAL HAASAN'S MARUDHANAYAGAM GETS A PRODUCER? |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/lyca-productions-to-collaborate-with-kamal-haasan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205063746/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/lyca-productions-to-collaborate-with-kamal-haasan.html |archive-date=5 February 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016 |website=Behindwoods}}{{Cite web |date=18 December 2015 |title=Kamal's Marudhanayagam revived? |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/151218/entertainment-kollywood/article/kamal%E2%80%99s-marudhanayagam-revived |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311001606/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/151218/entertainment-kollywood/article/kamal%E2%80%99s-marudhanayagam-revived |archive-date=11 March 2016 |access-date=4 February 2016 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}
The posters of the film were displayed at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, signalling the film's possible revival.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2017 |title=Kamal Haasan's 'Marudhanayagam' at the Cannes film market |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kamal-haasans-marudhanayagam-at-the-cannes-film-market/articleshow/58786943.cms |url-status=live |access-date=23 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526070823/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kamal-haasans-marudhanayagam-at-the-cannes-film-market/articleshow/58786943.cms |archive-date=26 May 2017}} However, in February 2018, Haasan revealed that he would only work on two more films before his proposed retirement from acting, Vishwaroopam II and Indian 2.{{Cite web |date=14 February 2018 |title=Official: 'Vishwaroopam 2' and 'Indian 2' are the last two films of Kamal Haasan |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/official-vishwaroopam-2-and-indian-2-are-the-last-two-films-of-kamal-haasan-news-tamil-scopulabddaci.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214130137/http://www.sify.com/movies/official-vishwaroopam-2-and-indian-2-are-the-last-two-films-of-kamal-haasan-news-tamil-scopulabddaci.html |archive-date=14 February 2018 |access-date=19 November 2020 |website=Sify}} In 2020, Haasan stated that he envisaged the title character would be in his 40s, but was by now too old to play the role, "So the only option — if we get the money to bankroll it — would be either to change the storyline or cast some other younger actor to play the role."{{Cite news |date=2 May 2020 |title=Kamal Haasan says 'Marudhanayagam' will need younger lead actor, and has penned another mythological story |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kamal-haasan-says-marudhanayagam-will-need-younger-lead-actor-and-has-penned-another-mythological-story/article31488146.ece |url-status=live |access-date=8 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508012050/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kamal-haasan-says-marudhanayagam-will-need-younger-lead-actor-and-has-penned-another-mythological-story/article31488146.ece |archive-date=8 May 2020}}
Music
Ilaiyaraaja was signed on to score music for the film's soundtrack, while his son Karthik Raja composed the background music for the film's promotional trailer in late 1997. Initially Kamal Haasan planned to bring in prominent British film composer Andrew Lloyd Webber to compose the background music, while Ilaiyaraaja took in charge of composing the songs, suggesting that it will be a collaborative effort between the two composers. Later classical violinist L. Subramaniam was also brought to compose the film score, but he turned down the opportunity which made Ilaiyaraaja to take charge of composing the background score and the soundtrack.
Despite the project being shelved, Ilaiyaraaja finished composing two songs for the film in late 1998. One of the songs were sung by prominent M. S. Subbulakshmi, and another song was titled "Poranthathu Panaiyur Mannu" which was composed and sung by Ilaiyaraaja. At an award ceremony held in Chennai, both Kamal Haasan and Ilaiyaraaja sang few lines from this song, which prompted fans requesting to release the full song online.{{Cite news |last=Shivakumar |first=S. |date=3 March 2016 |title=Felicitating the maestro |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/felicitating-the-maestro/article8309347.ece |url-status=live |access-date=18 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501015744/http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/felicitating-the-maestro/article8309347.ece |archive-date=1 May 2018}} The song was released directly in YouTube (as both audio and video formats).{{Cite news |date=5 March 2016 |title=Marudhanayagam song released |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Marudhanayagam-song-released/articleshow/51265317.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231019133155/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/Marudhanayagam-song-released/articleshow/51265317.cms |archive-date=19 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |work=The Times of India}} The video song featured some footages of the sequences which were filmed during the initial phase of the production and few scenes from the film's trailer as well.{{Cite web |date=7 March 2016 |title=Marudhanayagam song: The latest song from Kamal Haasan's film takes brutality to another level! |url=https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/marudhanayagam-song-the-latest-song-from-kamal-haasans-film-takes-brutality-to-another-level-680580/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923181943/https://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/marudhanayagam-song-the-latest-song-from-kamal-haasans-film-takes-brutality-to-another-level-680580/ |archive-date=23 September 2021 |access-date=18 February 2021 |website=Bollywood Life}}
{{External media
|audio1 = {{YouTube|I6H27gxLk_w|Official Audio Song}}
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| title1 = Poranthathu Panaiyur Mannu
| length1 = 2:46
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| lyrics1 = Kamal Haasan
| extra1 = Ilaiyaraaja
}}
Legacy
The delay of the film has been subject to references in media and film. In Saroja (2008), the character played by Premgi Amaren stumbles upon a supposed DVD of Marudhanayagam.{{Cite web |date=January 2010 |title=ஜக்குபாய் இணையத்தில் |url=http://www.tamilnetwork.info/2010/01/jakkubai-in-internet.html?m=1 |website=Tamil Network |language=Ta |access-date=3 April 2024 |archive-date=3 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403074146/http://www.tamilnetwork.info/2010/01/jakkubai-in-internet.html?m=1 |url-status=live }} In Siva Manasula Sakthi (2009), Santhanam's character mockingly asks for a song from the shelved film to be played on the radio.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNPmvVr5smc |title=Jiiva & Santhanam's atrocity with Anuya {{!}} Siva Manasula Sakthi {{!}} Tamil {{!}} Santhanam {{!}} Sun NXT |date=14 December 2022 |language=Ta |publisher=Sun NXT |access-date=18 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218192123/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNPmvVr5smc |archive-date=18 December 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} In Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (2017), a poster of the film appears in the background of a scene, alongside other prominent shelved Tamil films such as Manmadhan 2 and Karikalan.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} Director A. L. Vijay revealed that Marudhanayagam was the inspiration behind his successful 2009 film, Madrasapattinam, which was based on India's independence movement in 1947.{{Cite web |date=5 April 2010 |title=Marudhanayagam inspired Madharasapattinam |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/55894.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407075028/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/article/55894.html |archive-date=7 April 2010 |access-date=21 September 2011 |website=IndiaGlitz}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Kamal Haasan}}
{{Raaj Kamal Films International}}
Category:1990s unfinished films
Category:Films directed by Kamal Haasan
Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja
Category:Films shot in Chalakudy
Category:Films shot in Chennai
Category:Films shot in Rajasthan
Category:Films shot in Tamil Nadu
Category:Films shot in Thrissur