The biopic on legendary Carnatic vocalist and Bharat Ratna awardee MS Subbulakshmi was launched on September 16 in Chennai, with Kamal Haasan attending the event. Rashmika Mandanna’s casting has faced criticism from some social media users. Amid the debate, Kamal backed Rashmika and compared the pressure of her role to that of a Michael Jackson biopic.
Allu Aravind, Kamal Haasan on Rashmika’s casting
Allu Aravind got emotional about the film and said at the event, “We’re all together… not making your biopic, amma. You have chosen us to make it. Thank you. I have become slightly emotional, seeing the big portrait of hers.”
He then spoke about Rashmika and added, “And, likewise, she has chosen Rashmika for this role. Rashmika, it is not (what) we requested; she has chosen and sent us as agents to you.” The actor also spoke on similar lines at the event and said in Tamil, “Thanks, amma, for choosing me to be a small part of your life. For that, I will always be grateful. I hope your blessings are with us.”
Actor Kamal Haasan also publicly backed Mandanna, acknowledging the weight of the role while encouraging her. He said, “The tension an actor would have felt when acting in a Michael Jackson film, you will have that tension, I know. But there is a good team to help relieve that. I don’t envy you because I couldn’t have done this role, even if I removed my beard. I can’t. I can put on however many disguises I want, but like MS Amma, if you bring that compassion in your eyes, you have won half the battle. You have to do it bravely.”
Rashmika’s casting criticised
This comes amid criticism around Rashmika’s casting. Many social media users expressed disappointment over the casting choice, arguing that she might lack the classical gravity required for the role. Around 2013, reports stated that Rajiv Menon was planning to make a biopic on Subbulakshmi with Vidya Balan as the lead. However, the film was shelved. This year, there were reports that Sai Pallavi or Rukmini Vasanth would star in a biopic on Subbulakshmi. However, on Tuesday, it was revealed that Rashmika would be headlining it.
Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming movies
Apart from this grand project, Rashmika Mandanna is set to play a tribal Gond woman in Rawindra Pulle’s action thriller Mysaa. The film is set to have a theatrical release on November 27. Before that, Rashmika and Vijay will be seen together for the first time after their wedding in the pan-India film Raanabali.
MS Subbulakshmi biopic: Kamal Haasan compares Rashmika’s role to Michael Jackson
