The personal as well as political life of late J. Jayalalithaa, AIADMK party supremo and former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, have thrown up so many mysteries her story should make an intriguing film script. Many have tried making a movie of her life in the past, but all the projects seemed jinxed.
The latest news is Tamil director Ravi Ratnam has formally announced he is making a biopic on J. Jayalalithaa and he would reveal the name of actress to essay the lead role in May when the film goes on floors. Talking to DC, he said,
“The film will feature Jaya Madam’s life and journey — from a popular star to a powerful politician, how she became a sensational star on silver screen, how she was brought into politics by MGR and how she triumphed over all her detractors in politics.”
Ravi Ratnam also says he did extensive research before starting the project. “I am planning to shoot in all the 234 constituencies in the state. I have chosen a lady who has a close resemblance to Jayalalithaa. It is too early to reveal her name now as she will be groomed and presented in front of media on the day of mahurat of the film.” Asked if he foresees any issues cropping up regarding the subject of the film, he says, “Not really, I am only projecting the facts.”
Three top actresses —Trisha, Ramya Krishnan and Thulasi — have been known to show a keen interest to portray J. Jayalaithaa on screen and they are waiting for a good filmmaker capable of handling the subject in sensible and sensitive manner to approach them.
A few film makers had earlier attempted to bring out Jaya’s life on celluloid, but in vain. A few years ago, the film Amma with Kannada actress Ragini Dwivedi doing the lead role was launched and shooting also went on briskly. Reports suggested the film was based on Jayalalithaa’s life, but its director Faisal Saif simply denied it, saying his movie was just a thriller. The film is yet to see the light of day though.
More recently, Bollywood producer Aditya Bharadwaj announced a movie titled Thaai: Puratchi Thalaivi, a biopic on late Jayalalithaa, to be made as a trilingual in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. He had also claimed they had started filming when Jaya was alive. Only time will tell if any of the projects on Jaya’s life will hit the screens.
