Four Malayalam films were announced in a span of two days, centred around the life of prominent historical figure, Variyamkunnath Haji. Even before production has started, the films are courting controversy for their wildly divergent political perspectives.
Filmmakers are clamouring to tell the story of Chakkiparamban Variyamkunnathu Kunjahammed Haji in time for the 100th anniversary of his biggest victory. The industry has already immortalised Haji on the big screen 32 years ago in 1921, starring Mammooty. T G Ravi played Haji in the film, which won the State Award for Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value in 1988. However, the new set of films seems to have stirred up some unpopular public sentiment.
The Face of the Rebellion
The year 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Malabar Rebellion, a resistance movement against British colonial rule. The rebellion started as a reaction against pressure by the British on the Khilafat movement, which was allied to the nationalist movement, in Valluvanad and Eranad. The Mappillas in the area led the rebellion, taking over British government offices, treasuries, courts and police offices; asserting control of the area. However, the later parts of the rebellion saw communal violence and casualties between the Muslims and Hindus in southern Malabar.
Variyamkunnathu Haji joined the Khilafat movement in Kerala and rose in ranks to become a prominent figure in the Malabar Rebellion. C Gopalan Nair, in his book, The Moplah Rebellion, published in 1923, described Haji as one who styled himself as the Raja of the Hindus, Amir of the Mohammaddens and Colonel of the Khilafat army. He ran a parallel government with activist and cleric Ali Musliyar for over six months, seizing control of a large area from the British. His rule lasted from August 22, 1921 till his capture on January 6, 1922. After his capture, Haji was sentenced to death. Haji’s death has been regarded a mark of the collapse of the rebellion.
To the Big Screen
Renowned Malayalam filmmaker Aashiq Abu announced that his film, Vaariyamkunnan, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, would release alongside the century mark of the Malabar Rebellion. The announcement from the actor and the director described Haji as “The man who stood up against an empire that ruled a quarter of the world. The legend of a leader, a soldier, a patriot.” The statement sparked public outrage from several people who cited Haji as a Muslim radical leader who carried out genocide on thousands of Hindus.
The outrage led to a hate campaign against both Aashiq and Prithviraj. The Sangh Parivar stated that the movie was an attempt to glorify a Muslim leader who was a jihadi responsible for several deaths. The Hindu Aikya Vedi asked Prithviraj to leave the project as the organisation felt it glorified Haji. The Vedi claims the film is part of a conspiracy to whitewash the revolt of 1921. And, it further states, the film will reopen old wounds for the Hindu community.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that Kerala recognised Haji as a warrior who led a brave battle against the British. He went on to say that there was no need for a communal angle to be brought into it. However, the political sensibilities of the filmmakers have also made the news. A scriptwriter on Aashiq’s team, Ramees Mohamed, left the project post allegations about his old extremist and misogynistic social media posts.
Rebellions Galore for the Industry
The unexpected response to the film’s announcement has been the back-to-back announcements of three more films based on the same man and his place in history. Celebrated playwright Ibrahim Vengara announced his film, The Great Vaariyamkunnath, to be adapted from his own play on the subject. Director and ex-MLA P T Kunju Muhammed announced his film on the subject, titled Shahid Vaariyamkunnan. He said his project will be an honest retelling of history.
The film to be made by filmmaker and BJP leader Ali Akbar will “reveal the true facts” of Haji. In a public video published on his social media platform, Ali Akbar claimed that the announcement of the project had led to threatening phone calls and abuse against him. Further, he said that this would not deter him from making the film. He had already crowdsourced contributions over ₹16 lakh for the film. Besides, in the video, he also appealed to the chief minister to aid him in recovering the money that was remitted to fake accounts claiming to be him.
This is the first time in Malayalam film history that four films are being made separately around the same historical figure and event. The films are gearing up for production, but the political outrage is loud and determined to halt them in their tracks. The films are set to portray a fierce rebellion in Kerala history, but they are sure to see a fight of their own for reign over the box office.
