Actor-director Parthiban, who recently unveiled the first poster of his next directorial Naan Thaan CM has announced that he will change the name of his role CM Singaravelan in the upcoming film as it refers to Singaravelar, a major leader of the Indian independence movement. The film also courted controversy for the usage of 'boat symbol' and terms like 'Soththu Katchi' (Rice Party).
Issuing a detailed clarification, Parthiban took to his X handle and said that all the objections raised are nothing but imagined names they had coined without any deeper intent. He stated that he used the name Singaravelan only because "I wanted something rhyming with ‘Si’ near CM, without much effort."
"Since it refers to the highly respected Singaravelar, I wholeheartedly agree and value the concern, and I am ready to change it immediately!" he wrote. Parthiban noted that while the 'boat' symbol can be overturned and replaced with another symbol, he clarified that it is not a film about the fishing community.
Asserting that uplifting the lives of the underprivileged is the essence of politics, he said that he would not change the name 'Soththu Katchi' (Rice Party). "It was started 25 years ago by renowned Cho (Cho Ramaswamy - writer, actor and former member of the Rajya Sabha) under whose leadership began the initiative of giving 10 kilos of rice to 1000 people."
"Unnecessary or vested-interest promotions like 'siege protests' are not required for my film. I wish to make it clear to the people of Tamil Nadu that this CM will not tarnish the dignity of anyone, not just the fishing community, but anyone at all," he added.
Written and helmed by Parthiban himself, Naan Thaan CM will see him playing a man who is contesting for the Chief Minister position in the state.
Revealing the first look poster and quirky caption for the film on September 13, he said, "It is a democratic right that anyone can stand in an election. I am also standing. It is your duty to make me sit (elect me). The first signature I will put after sitting in the Chief Minister’s chair is that no one else should sit in that seat after me!"
While it is confirmed to be a political film, it is not yet known if it would take the action or satirical route. Further details regarding the plot and extended cast are yet to be announced. The tagline 'from '26 onwards hints at the film releasing next year. Naan Thaan CM is backed by Parthiban's Bioscope Film Framers.