At a Bison event earlier today, director Mari Selvaraj delivered an intense speech, expressing his intentions behind his films, describing them with the phrase 'anti-caste'. The filmmaker pleaded to the audience not to ask why he makes films based on caste and class divide. He revealed that these questions affect his job, thought process and narrative. "If you ask that question again, I would try to avoid it and work even harder," he declared. Mari Selvaraj added that he would try to fight it if people attempt to connect his work with politics as well. The Pariyerum Perumal filmmaker said that his work will have elements against caste discrimination, that he always believes in his art form and that he is not a politician, an essayist or a surveyor. "You call my films caste-based films. That is your language. However, I call them anti-caste films," he highlighted, adding that he would keep making such films.
He continued, "I have pawned my life to make films and dedicated it towards filmmaking. My work has a passion." He also underscored the number of commercial films that hit theatres in a year and the importance of certain filmmakers like him to focus on socially relevant dramas. "There are many films that you can celebrate and that entertain you. Leave me alone," the Bison director said, asking viewers not to forcibly change his approach towards filmmaking. Mari Selvaraj also showed his faith in a section of the audience who he says has "accepted" him.
