B. Thiagarajan, the grandson of legendary Tamil actor and musician Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, has filed a petition before a Chennai court against the makers of the upcoming film “Kaantha”, starring Dulquer Salmaan. The petitioner has alleged that the movie portrays his grandfather in an undignified and defamatory manner, grossly distorting the truth about his life and legacy.

In his plea, Thiagarajan contended that the movie depicts Bhagavathar as “a man of loose morals” who supposedly lost his eyesight, became destitute, and died in penury, which, according to him, is entirely false and malicious. He emphasized that his grandfather was not only one of the earliest and most celebrated film stars of Tamil cinema but also a revered Carnatic musician, admired for his divine voice and virtuous character.

The petitioner pointed out that Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, fondly known as M.K.T., captivated millions with his performances and music. Though he faced an unfortunate phase in his life after being falsely implicated in a criminal case—of which he was later acquitted—he continued to live a dignified and content life until his death in 1959, leaving behind his wife and two children.

Thiagarajan stated that contrary to the movie’s alleged portrayal, his grandfather was a “modest, devout and simple man” known for his compassion and charitable nature. He further asserted that MKT was a teetotaller and non-smoker, and despite facing setbacks in his career, he never lived in poverty. The petitioner also clarified that while his grandfather’s eyesight had weakened with age, he was never blind, as the film reportedly suggests.

The plea went on to argue that filmmakers have a legal and moral duty to obtain consent from the surviving family members of notable public figures when basing films on their lives, whether explicitly or by clear reference. In this case, the producers allegedly failed to seek such permission before creating what Thiagarajan described as a “fictional and defamatory version” of Bhagavathar’s life.

He maintained that even if the film avoids using his grandfather’s name, “a reasonable and prudent person” could easily identify the reference, thereby damaging the reputation of a person who can no longer defend himself.

Accordingly, the petition seeks a permanent injunction to restrain the producers from releasing, screening, distributing, publishing, or streaming the film in any form. It also requests that the court bar the filmmakers from depicting MKT as a person of immoral character, asserting that such representation is “false, defamatory, and injurious to the reputation, dignity, and legacy” of the late actor.