Kozhikode: On Sunday morning, Union Minister Suresh Gopi arrived at Sithara on Kottaram Road, filled with memories. Standing near the statue of Bhima from Randamoozham, he paid his respects at the chair where the legendary writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair had once sat, with a photograph of the author in front of him. As he stood before the picture, draping a garland over it, a subtle smile appeared on Suresh Gopi’s face, reflecting a moment of deep admiration.
His visit to Sithara was in connection with the re-release of the 1989 film Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha, based on M.T. Vasudevan Nair's work and directed by Hariharan, with P.V. Gangadharan as the producer. The film, which was originally released under the banner of Grihalakshmi Productions, is now being re-screened in 4K Atmos for a fresh cinematic experience. The re-release is being facilitated by SCube Films, a production company associated with the Grihalakshmi team.
Present during the visit were M.T.'s wife, Kalamandalam Saraswathi, his daughter Aswathy V. Nair, P.V. Gangadharan’s wife Sherin Gangadharan, and SCube Films' key figure Sherga Sandeep. Suresh Gopi offered his tribute to M.T. by bowing in front of the photograph. . After placing the garland, he donned a golden kasavu (traditional Kerala attire) and clasped his hands in reverence. Sherga Sandeep also presented a silver kasavu as a mark of respect.
Suresh Gopi, reflecting on his experiences, shared anecdotes from the film’s creation that took place over three decades ago. He spoke about how the film now offers a new perspective to those who had watched it in theatres at the time.
In an interaction with the media, Suresh Gopi remarked that M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s presence was not diminished by his passing, but instead his legacy has grown stronger over time. He noted that for those who might not have fully understood the depth of Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha when it first released, this re-release provides an opportunity to revisit it with a greater sense of awareness. He also expressed his hope that, in another 30 years, the film would once again return to theatres for audiences to experience.
Suresh Gopi concluded by emphasising that this re-release is not just a tribute to M.T. Vasudevan Nair, but a chance to rediscover the complexities and nuances of the iconic film, which continues to resonate across generations.
Published: 10 Feb 2025, 11:21 am IST
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