Latest news with #Ramadoss


Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Ayya': Cheran brings PMK Founder Ramadoss' life to the screen, responds to criticism
Director Cheran is directing a new film titled 'Ayya' based on the life story of PMK founder Ramadoss. The official announcement he made yesterday also featured the title posters of the film. The poster read, 'History of the Struggle for Racial Liberation 1987. ' Furthermore, since it also includes scenes of Ramadoss speaking and holding public meetings, it is believed that the 1987 reservation struggle for the Vanniyar community will be the backdrop for the film. It should also be remembered that 21 people died in that protest. Aari plays Ramadoss Actor Aari will play the role of Ramadoss in this film. The film is produced by Tamil Kumaran, the son of late PMK Honorary President G.K. Mani. Sundara Moorthy is composing the music for the film. He has previously composed music for films like 'Bommai Nayaki' and 'Ten Hours'. The rest of the cast is expected to be announced soon, and the film is set to begin shooting in September. Big-budget production set to begin in September Many people have congratulated director Cheran regarding the film. This includes directors Thangar Bachchan and Chimbudevan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She Is One Of The Largest Athletes In The World And She Is Truly Massive Daily Sport X Undo The production team has stated that the film will be made on a huge budget. As the film 'Ayya' portrays an important event for social justice in film form, it is expected to spark many political and social debates. Cheran urges critics to wait until film's release In this situation, Director Cheran has responded to the criticism and comments surrounding the released posters in his 'X' post. 'My thanks to everyone who appreciated the poster designs. The film work is just starting now. So, those who have different opinions should wait patiently until the film is released and then criticize," he said.


New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'Ayya': Cheran announces biopic on PMK founder S Ramadoss
Tamil filmmaker Cheran on Friday announced Ayya, a biopic on Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss. Announced on Ramadoss' 87th birthday, the film has actor Aari Arujunan playing the politician. Cheran unveiled first-look posters on his X handle. The posters feature Aari as Ramadoss, orating to his followers. The tagline reads, 'The Lion of Tamil Nadu.' The posters hint that the film will touch upon the 1987 Vanniyar reservation agitation spearheaded by Ramadoss, which forced the DMK government led by M. Karunanidhi to create a 'most backwards' quota with 20 per cent reservation in education and employment in 1989.


Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
As Ramadoss scuttles son's march amid fresh chill, PMK rifts deepen
A last-ditch hope for reconciliation between the two key figures at the helm of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) — party founder S Ramadoss and his son A Anbumani — appears to have crumbled this week as Ramadoss moved to block a 100-day padayatra planned by Anbumani across Tamil Nadu, seeking police intervention to halt what he called was his son's 'unauthorised, dangerous political stunt'. Just a week ago, the mood in the PMK's divided circles had turned cautiously optimistic. With the discovery of a surveillance device under Ramadoss's chair at his Thailapuram residence — a revelation that triggered fears of a police investigation amid hints that Anbumani may be implicated in it — a new round of mediation efforts was launched, led by long-time family friend and VIT Chancellor G Viswanathan. For a brief moment, it seemed as though both father and son, locked in a months-long power struggle, might step back to avoid further damage. 'Letting the police into the house would be detrimental to the party,' a senior PMK leader had told The Indian Express at the time. But whatever ground was gained through those backchannel talks has now been undone in full public view. On Thursday, Ramadoss made it clear that negotiations between them had failed. He announced that Anbumani's statewide 'Urimai Meetpu Payanam (Rights Retrieval Yatra)' must be stopped. He claimed that the event, if allowed to proceed, would pose law and order challenges in northern Tamil Nadu and warned that Anbumani had no authority to undertake political campaigns under the PMK banner. 'I am the party. I am the leader. There is no separate faction led by Anbumani within the PMK,' Ramadoss said. He went further, asking the state police to prevent the use of his party's flag, name, or even his own full name in connection with the yatra, claiming he had resumed charge as party president on May 30 and had submitted the updated office-bearers' list to the Election Commission (EC). In an escalation that stunned even seasoned party watchers, Ramadoss warned that anyone posing as an office-bearer without his sanction would be expelled. A fresh complaint was submitted to the Director General of Police (DGP), who subsequently issued orders to district police officials to withhold permission for the march. On Friday, however, Anbumani launched the padayatra — beginning from Thiruporur after offering prayers at a temple and garlanding a statue of B R Ambedkar. Addressing a gathering, he launched an attack on Chief Minister M K Stalin and the ruling DMK, alleging betrayal of the Vanniyar community, neglect of farmers, and rising crimes against women. He made no mention of his father or the party rifts. But in the evening, the DGP's communication to district superintendents said the padayatra was unauthorised, lacking 'written consent or authorisation of the founder/president' of the PMK. Officers were instructed to take steps to prevent the march at any point along its route, citing the risk of clashes between rival factions of the party and the potential threat to public order. The father-son feud has been playing out publicly since early this year, when Ramadoss attempted to sideline Anbumani by elevating his grandson, P Mukundan as the party's youth wing leader, a move Anbumani resisted. In June, Ramadoss formally reclaimed the party presidency from Anbumani, demoting the latter to the working president's post. He also dismissed several of Anbumani's loyalists from key roles, citing mismanagement and unilateral decision-making. Tensions peaked when Ramadoss overruled Anbumani's expulsion of a sitting MLA and declared that the 'working president' title carried no real power. In mid-July, an audio-tapping device found in Ramadoss's home, reportedly sourced from the United Kingdom, prompted fears that party surveillance had gone too far. While no one was directly named, the discovery shook up the party. Ramadoss then filed a cybercrime complaint, with his aides describing the incident as 'the most obnoxious political development in Tamil Nadu'. Anbumani's padayatra, which was billed as a massive mobilisation to reconnect with the party's roots and its Vanniyar base, was initially seen by some insiders as an opportunity for 'healing'. With over 5,000 cadres expected to join, many hoped it would serve as common ground for the fractured family. But Ramadoss saw it instead as a challenge to his authority and a provocation that could destabilise the party's rank and file.


News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
PMK Founder Ramadoss' Biopic Titled Ayya The Lion Of Tamil Nadu Announced
Last Updated: Director Cheran will direct a biopic titled 'Ayya - The Lion of Tamil Nadu' on PMK founder Dr Ramadoss, covering his early life and role in the 1987 Vanniyar reservation agitation. A biopic chronicling the life and political journey of Dr S. Ramadoss, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), has officially been announced under the title Ayya – The Lion of Tamil Nadu. The project will be helmed by National Award-winning filmmaker Cheran, marking his return to direction after his recent acting role in the Malayalam film Narivetta, which starred Tovino Thomas. The film will explore key chapters from Dr Ramadoss' life, with a particular focus on his leadership during the 1987 Vanniyar reservation agitation. The movement played a crucial role in securing a 20 per cent reservation for the Vanniyar community by 1989, a moment widely regarded as a turning point in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. To mark the announcement, the makers unveiled four striking posters depicting scenes inspired by the 1987 protest. Alongside the visual reveal, the team stated, 'His voice roared for the voiceless. Now, his story roars on the big screen." Actor Aari Arujunan has been confirmed to play the lead role, stepping into the shoes of Dr Ramadoss. Sharing his excitement, Aari posted, 'Thrilled to be part of Ayya, the biopic of Dr. Ramadoss! Thanks to Director Cheran sir & Producer Tamil Kumaran for this opportunity." Take a look here: The rest of the cast, including the actor who will portray Dr Ramadoss' son and former Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss, has yet to be announced. The technical crew includes cinematographer Ekhambram, music composer Sundaramurthy KS, and editor Pon Kathiresh. The project is backed by producer GKM Tamil Kumaran. While the film's production is moving forward, a release date has not yet been finalised. Ayya – The Lion of Tamil Nadu is expected to strike a chord with audiences familiar with Tamil Nadu's political history. The film also marks a notable collaboration between an acclaimed director and a politically resonant subject. view comments First Published: July 26, 2025, 09:03 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


The Hindu
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Ayya': Cheran announces biopic on PMK founder S. Ramadoss; Aari Arujunan to play the lead
Tamil filmmaker Cheran on Friday (July 25) announced Ayya, a biopic on Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S Ramadoss. Announced on Ramadoss' 87th birthday, the film has actor Aari Arujunan playing the politician. Cheran unveiled first-look posters on his X handle. The posters feature Aari as Ramadoss, orating to his followers. The tagline reads, 'The Lion of Tamil Nadu.' The posters hint that the film will touch upon the 1987 Vanniyar reservation agitation spearheaded by Ramadoss, which forced the DMK government led by M. Karunanidhi to create a 'most backwards' quota with 20 per cent reservation in education and employment in 1989. ALSO READ: Explained | Why did the Madras High Court invalidate separate quota for Vanniyar community? Details regarding the rest of the cast remain unknown at the moment. Ayya has music scored by Sundaramurthy KS (8 Thottakkal, Bommai Nayagi), cinematography by Ekhambram and editing by Pon Kathiresh. GKM Tamil Kumaran produces the film under his Tamil Kumaran Productions banner. Meanwhile, wishes have been pouring in for the PMK founder. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, and other leaders extended their birthday greetings to S. Ramadoss on Friday. Mr. Stalin in a social media post wished the PMK founder a long life and wished that he continue his public life. In a social media post, Mr. Palaniswami said he called Mr. Ramadoss over phone to express his birthday greetings.